Product Name: Cobalt(II) Acetate
Chemical Formula: C4H6CoO4
Chemical Family: Inorganic Salt
Synonyms: Cobaltous Acetate, Cobalt(II) Acetate Tetrahydrate
CAS Number: 71-48-7 (anhydrous), 6147-53-1 (tetrahydrate)
Use: Catalyst, pigment, laboratory reagent, chemical synthesis
Supplier Information: Corporate name, Address, Emergency phone, Technical contact phone
Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation, dermal) Category 4; Carcinogen Category 1B; Eye Irritant Category 2A
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin; May cause cancer; Causes serious eye irritation
Pictograms: Health hazard, Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation, wear protective gloves and eye protection, wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product, obtain special instructions before use
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Substance: Cobalt(II) Acetate
Chemical Identity: C4H6CoO4
CAS Number: 71-48-7
Concentration: 100% (for technical grade)
Other Components: None
Impurities Contributing to Hazard: None present at concentrations meeting criteria for classification
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical advice if symptoms appear, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention immediately
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with mild soap and water, seek care if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses, keep eyelids apart, obtain medical attention if irritation is present
Symptoms: Throat irritation, cough, redness, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, skin or eye redness
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically, monitor for allergic reactions or delayed symptoms such as dermatitis or pulmonary involvement
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water stream may spread spilled material
Specific Hazards: Decomposes to emit toxic fumes (cobalt oxides, acetic acid)
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear, prevent runoff into sewers
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Cool containers exposed to fire with water spray, contain contaminated extinguishing water, use extinguishing techniques appropriate for surrounding fire
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, avoid dust generation, use personal protective equipment—gloves, respirator, eye protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to soil, ditches, drains, and watercourses, alert authorities if significant release occurs
Methods for Cleaning Up: Sweep or shovel into suitable containers, avoid raising dust, place in a dry, closed container for disposal, wash spill area with water while containing runoff
Emergency Procedures: Isolate area, clean small spills with damp cloth or filter vacuum, consult safety coordinator for large spills
Safe Handling: Avoid breathing dust, keep away from food and beverages, wash hands before breaks and after handling, use in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, avoid storage near incompatible materials (strong oxidizers, acids), label containers clearly
Other Precautions: Maintain chemical inventory and access controls, handle using effective engineering controls, limit quantities kept at worksite, keep away from animal feed and seed
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m³ (as cobalt, TWA); ACGIH TLV: 0.02 mg/m³ (as cobalt, TWA, inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, process enclosures, air filtration, minimize dust generation
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), safety goggles or face shield, long-sleeved laboratory coat, NIOSH-approved dust respirator (if exposure limits likely to be exceeded)
Hygiene Measures: Prohibit eating, drinking, smoking during use, wash thoroughly before eating or leaving work area, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Appearance: Pink to red crystalline powder or granules
Odor: Slight acetic odor
Odor Threshold: Not established
Molecular Weight: 177.03 g/mol (anhydrous), 249.08 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Melting Point: 140 °C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Density: 1.7 g/cm³
Solubility in Water: 72 g/100 mL (20°C; tetrahydrate)
pH: 7.0-7.5 (5% aqueous solution, tetrahydrate)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Decomposition Temperature: Above 140°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures, avoid excess heat and moisture
Reactivity: Not reactive toward most materials under standard conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, strong oxidizing agents, acids, damp or moist environments
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers (peroxides, nitrates), acids
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Cobalt oxides, acetic acid, carbon oxides
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 1140 mg/kg; Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause irritation and redness
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: Prolonged contact may cause sensitization
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Evidence from animal studies suggests mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity: Classified as a probable human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B, ACGIH A3)
Reproductive Toxicity: Evidence of impaired fertility and developmental toxicity in animal studies
Specific Target Organ Toxicity: May damage respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, kidneys on repeated or prolonged exposure
Symptoms: Irritation to mucous membranes, allergic skin reactions, breathing difficulties, dizziness, nausea, headache, dermatitis, pulmonary inflammation
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments
Persistence/Degradability: Non-biodegradable, inorganic complex persists in environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Cobalt may accumulate in aquatic and terrestrial organisms
Mobility in Soil: Limited mobility in soil, binds to soil particles and organic matter
Other Adverse Effects: Risk to watercourses and the aquatic food chain due to metallic cobalt toxicity
Special Precautions: Prevent releases to the environment, avoid contamination of drains, surface and groundwater, coordinate with local authorities for environmental protection strategies
Waste Disposal Method: Dispose of unused material and contaminated packaging through licensed hazardous waste contractor, follow local, regional, national, and international legislation
Container Disposal: Rinse containers thoroughly, remove or deface labels, do not reuse the container, dispose as hazardous waste
Special Instructions: Avoid release to the environment, do not pour into drains or waterways
Other Precautions: Assign disposal responsibility to a trained professional aware of cobalt contamination risks, retain disposal documentation and records
UN Number: 3288
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Solid, Inorganic, N.O.S. (contains Cobalt Acetate)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substances)
Packing Group: III (medium danger)
Labels Required: Toxic (skull and crossbones)
Environmental Hazards: Dangerous to aquatic environment
Transport Precautions: Protect packaging from physical damage, keep tightly closed, secure against spills or leaks
Special Precautions: Follow applicable regional, national, and international regulations for hazardous materials, communicate hazards to carriers and recipients
Labeling Requirements: According to OSHA HCS (GHS), CLP, and WHMIS
SARA Title III, Sections 302/313: Listed (SARA 313, as cobalt compound)
RCRA Status: Hazardous waste (D007, if discarded)
TSCA Inventory: Listed
Canada DSL/NDSL: Listed on DSL
Other Regulations: WorkSafe Australia Hazardous Substance classification, EU REACH registration and restriction
International Inventories: On or complying with many chemical inventories worldwide (EINECS, DSL, ENCS, IECSC)