Cobalt (II) chloride is one of the most common forms of chloride found the lab today. Its chemical formula is CoCl2 and its molecular weight is 129.833 g/mol. The compound is most often supplied as cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate or as cobalt (II) chloride anhydrous.

Cobalt (II) Chloride Hexahydrate
The hexahydrate of cobalt (II) chloride is bright pink. The chemical formula for the compound is CoCl2·6H2O. Harmful if swallowed or applied directly to skin, it is generally shelf-stable at room temperature. Hexahydrate is by far one of the most common forms of cobalt used in laboratory settings. Noah Chemicals supplies ACS Reagent grade cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate.

Cobalt (II) Chloride Anhydrous
Cobalt (II) chloride anhydrous, also known as Cobaltous Chloride, is a beautiful sky blue color. It is generally supplied in bead form and should be handled carefully as it is a suspected carcinogen. Noah Chemicals supplies cobalt (II) chloride anhydrous with 99% purity in several amounts.

Applications of Cobalt (II) Chloride
Cobalt chloride changes color in response to humidity, hence the color differential between its anhydrous and hexahydrate forms.

It's often used as an indicator for water desiccants. Cobalt (II) chloride is a weak Lewis acid.
It’s also a powerful intermediate compound. A common precursor to other cobalt compounds, CoCl2 is readily oxidizes and often used in the presence of a catalyst. It’s a necessary precursor for both cobaltocene and tetralykl. Cobalt (II) chloride is said to be kinetically inert. Commercially, cobalt (II) chloride is often used to make sealants, adhesives, and glues. It is also used for electroplating, particularly for plating objects with cobalt metal. Surface treating metal is another common industrial use of the compound.

Noah Chemicals’ on-staff chemists are happy to talk with you about the role cobalt (II) chloride plays in your process. In addition to supplying several cobalt chloride compounds in a variety of amounts and purities, Noah Tech also offers custom chemical services to customers all over the country. For more information on our industry-leading quality assurance program or to order CoCl2 directly, please reach out to Noah Tech today.