CO Structure: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Carbon Monoxide is a compound that has one carbon connected by a triple bond to single oxygen. It is the simplest oxocarbon. Carbon Monoxide is highly toxic, and it harms living organisms. Even though it's toxic, it has its use in various industries. It is used in the manufacture of many organic and inorganic compounds industrially. The chemical formula of Carbon Monoxide is CO.

The largest source of Carbon Monoxide is natural. It is produced because of the photochemical reactions in our troposphere and other natural sources like forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and other burning sources.
Chemical structure of Carbon monoxide

3D structure of Carbon monoxide

After getting to know about the structure of Carbon monoxide, let us now look at the physical properties.

1. The molecular weight of Carbon monoxide is 28.01 g/mol
2. The density of Carbon monoxide is 789 kg/m3
3. The melting point of Carbon monoxide is -2.05.2 0C, and the boiling point is -191.5 0C
4. Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, and is slightly soluble in water
5. Carbon monoxide is highly soluble in acetic acid, chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate, benzene, and ammonium hydroxide
6. It is highly combustible, and thus extra care has to be taken while handling CO. Exposure to the gas for a longer duration can be rendered harmful
7. The topological polar surface is 1 Ų
8. The magnetic susceptibility of Carbon monoxide is −9.8·10−6 cm3/mol
9. The refractive index of Carbon monoxide is 1.0003364
10.  The heat capacity of Carbon monoxide is 29.1 J/(K.mol).

After knowing about the physical properties of Carbon monoxide, let us now look at some of its chemical properties:

1. CO is used as a reducing agent in industries to extract iron

Fe2O3 + 3CO — 3CO2 + 2Fe

1. CO reacts chemically with Copper Oxide to release Carbon dioxide and copper

CO + CuO — Cu + CO2

1. CO reacts vigorously with water at high temperatures to release carbon dioxide and hydrogen

CO + H2O — H2 + CO2

Let us look at some of the important uses of Carbon monoxide.

1. Carbon monoxide is used to manufacture detergents, food colouring agents, and as a reagent to produce different aldehydes
2. It is used in the cleansing nickel
3. Carbon monoxide is used to remove rust from metal surfaces
4. It is used in high-end infrared lasers
5. It is used in water gas reactors to produce hydrogen

Carbon Monoxide in Class XI

In the chapter ‘p-block elements, you would get to know about carbon and its other compounds. You would get to know about the preparation, properties and uses of other elements in this block. This chapter would mainly deal with the preparation and properties of oxygen and its other compounds, the properties and synthesis of noble gases and the importance of CO in our daily lives.

Illustrations

1. Explain why NH3 is basic while BiH3 is only feebly basic?

Ans- Nitrogen is smaller because of the lone pair of electrons concentrated in a smaller area. This implies that the charge density per unit volume is high when you move down the group, the size of the central atom increases, which results in the decrease of electron density.

1. Can PCl5 act as an oxidising and reducing agent? Give reasons.

Ans- No, PCl5 cannot act as both oxidising and reducing agents. As it cannot increase its oxidation state above +5, it cannot act as a reducing agent, but it can decrease its oxidation state to +3 from +5 to act as an oxidising agent.

1. How is SO2  an air pollutant?

Ans- When sulphur dioxide comes in contact with water (rains), it produces sulphuric acid, which causes acid rain. Acid rain harms our atmosphere.

Q. What is the chemical formula of Carbon monoxide?

Q. What is the molecular weight of Carbon monoxide?

Q. What is the density of Carbon monoxide?

Q. State one of the chemical properties of Carbon monoxide?

Q. Mention some of the uses of Carbon monoxide.