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CO

Carbon Monoxide

Poisonous, flammable, odorless, high pressure gas.
Shipping Information
D.O.T. Proper Shipping Name:
Carbon Monoxide, compressed Inhalation Hazard Zone D
I.D. Number:
UN1016
Hazard Class:
2.3 (2.1)
Shipping Labels:
Inhalation Hazard, Flammable Gas
Technical Information
Molecular weight:
28.01
Specific volume:
13.7ft3/lb
CAS registry:
630-08-0
SDS ref:
Carbon Monoxide
About

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deceptively simple yet extremely dangerous molecule consisting of one carbon atom triple-bonded to a single oxygen atom. This colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas exemplifies how molecular structure directly influences behavior – its triple bond creates a slight positive charge on the carbon atom and negative charge on the oxygen, making it remarkably stable and non-reactive under normal conditions. This stability allows it to persist in the environment and creates one of its most hazardous properties: when inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in blood cells about 200 times more strongly than oxygen does, effectively preventing oxygen transport throughout the body.

Despite its dangers, carbon monoxide serves important industrial roles, particularly in the production of various organic compounds and in processes like metal purification. It forms naturally through incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials when there isn’t enough oxygen present – this can occur in poorly ventilated fires, malfunctioning heating systems, or even in the chemical reactions taking place inside car engines, which is why proper ventilation and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial safety measures in enclosed spaces.

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