CoCl2

Cobalt(II) chloride · Cobaltous chloride

Cobalt(II) chloride is a stable, semimetallic inorganic compound widely utilized as a chemical reagent and precursor in industrial manufacturing.

ClCo
Crystal structure of CoCl2
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Cobalt(II) chloride

Cobalt(II) chloride is a well-characterized inorganic compound that exhibits near-zero-gap electronic behavior. As a thermodynamically stable phase located on the convex hull, it represents a robust material with significant structural versatility, evidenced by the high volume of reported experimental and theoretical structures.

This compound serves as a critical precursor in various chemical synthesis pathways and industrial processes. Its unique electronic character and stability make it a focal point for research into coordination chemistry and the development of functional materials, particularly where precise control over cobalt oxidation states is required.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Cobalt(II) chloride, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

0.09 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

76
3 databases, 17 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where Cobalt(II) chloride is used.

Chemical synthesisElectroplatingHumidity indicatorsCatalyst preparationPigment production
Intellectual Property

Patent Landscape

2 patents reference CoCl2 or close compositional variants.

PatentTitleAssigneeGranted
4508798Cell with CoCl.sub.2 cathode
4394366Process for production of CoCl.sub.2 solution from cobaltic oxide-hydrate
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cobalt(II) chloride, answered from cross-validated data.

What is CoCl2?

Cobalt(II) chloride is a stable, semimetallic inorganic compound widely utilized as a chemical reagent and precursor in industrial manufacturing.

More questions
What is CoCl2 used for?
Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) is used in chemical synthesis, electroplating, humidity indicators, catalyst preparation, and pigment production.
What is the band gap of CoCl2?
Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.09 eV across 76 reported structures.
Is CoCl2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a near-zero band gap it behaves as a (semi)metal.
Is CoCl2 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of CoCl2 are known?
76 structures of CoCl2 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 17 distinct space groups.
What elements does CoCl2 contain?
Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2) contains Cl and Co (2 elements).
Where does the data for CoCl2 come from?
CoCl2 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a highly studied inorganic halide, Cobalt(II) chloride stands out for its structural reliability and accessibility. It serves as a benchmark material within the broader landscape of cobalt-based halides, providing a foundational reference point for understanding the electronic and thermodynamic trends of transition metal chlorides.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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