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Cobaltous Nitrate, Co(NO3)2

Cobaltous Nitrate, Co(NO3)2, may be obtained in the anhydrous condition by the action of nitric anhydride, or a solution of this in nitric acid upon the hydrated salt.

It is a slightly pink powder which decomposes at 100° to 105° C., evolving nitrous fumes.

A solution of cobaltous nitrate in water is readily prepared by dissolving the oxides or carbonate in dilute nitric acid. Slow evaporation yields red, monoclinic prisms of the hexahydrate, Co(NO3)2.6H2O, of density 1.83. The crystals are very slightly deliquescent in moist air; over concentrated sulphuric acid they effloresce. They melt at 56° C. to a red liquid which, at higher temperatures, thickens, becoming green, and decomposes evolving brown fumes leaving a residue of oxide. The solubility of the hexahydrate in water is as follows:

Temperature ° C-21-10-40184156
Grams Co(NO3)2 per 100 grams solution41.5543.6944.8545.6649.7355.9662.88


A solution of cobaltous nitrate saturated at 18° C. has a density of 1.575. Between.-21° and 41° C. the composition of the saturated solution at any temperature is given by the expression:

Co(NO3)2 + (12.183 - 0.10177t)H2O.

There is no evidence of the existence of a tetrahydrate. When the hexahydrate is kept at 20° to 60° C. in vacuo, or when melted and kept at 70° to 74° C., three molecules of water are lost, and the trihydrate, Co(NO3)2.3H2O, crystallises out in large, rhombic prisms. These melt at 91° C., but do not lose any more water without decomposition. The solubilities of the trihydrate in water at various temperatures are as follow:

Temperature ° C5562708491
Grams Co(NO3)2 per 100 grams solution61.7462.8864.8968.8477.21


There is a break in the solubility curve of the salt at.-22° C. which is attributed by Funk to the formation of a nonahydrate at temperatures below this point. This hydrate has not been isolated, although the corresponding nickel salt has been prepared and analyzed. Its solubility in water is as follows:

Temperature ° C.-26-23.5-20.5
Grams Co(NO3)2 per 100 grams solution39.4540.4042.77


Addition of ammonia in excess to a solution of cobaltous nitrate in the absence of air results in the deposition of rose-coloured crystals of the hexammoniate, Co(NO3)2.6NH3.3H2O.

A double nitrate of cobalt and bismuth, 3Co(NO3)2.2Bi(NO3)3.24H2O, has been prepared as red crystals, melting at 58° C., and of density 2.48 at 16° C.

Basic nitrates have been described.

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