Carbon Monoxide: Formula and Properties

Many of the gaseous substances that exist in nature and are produced in production are strong poisonous compounds. It is known that chlorine was used as a biological weapon, bromine vapor has a highly corrosive effect on the skin, hydrogen sulphide causes poisoning and so on.

One of these substances is carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide, the formula of which has its own peculiarities in the structure. About it and will go further.

The chemical formula of carbon monoxide

The empirical form of the formula of the considered compound is the following: CO. However, such a form gives a characterization only of the qualitative and quantitative composition, but does not affect the structural features and the order of the combination of atoms in the molecule. And it differs from that in all other similar gases.

It is this feature that affects the physical and chemical properties exhibited by the compound. What kind of structure is it?

The structure of the molecule

First, according to the empirical formula, it is seen that the valence of carbon in the compound is II. Same as oxygen. Therefore, each of them can form two links. The chemical formula of carbon monoxide CO demonstrates this.

This is what happens. Between the carbon and oxygen atoms, the double-covalent polar bond is formed by the mechanism of socialization of unpaired electrons. Thus, the structural formula of the carbon monoxide takes the form C = 0.

However, the features of the molecule do not end there. According to the donor-acceptor mechanism, a third, dative or seven-polar bond is formed in the molecule. How is this explained? Since after the formation of covalent bonds according to the exchange order, oxygen has two pairs of electrons, and the carbon atom has an empty orbital, the latter acts as an acceptor of one of the pairs of the first. In other words, a pair of oxygen electrons is placed on the free orbitals of carbon and a bond is formed.

So, carbon-acceptor, oxygen-donor. Therefore, the carbon monoxide formula in chemistry takes the following form: C≡O. This structuring gives the molecule additional chemical stability and inertness in the properties exhibited under normal conditions.

So, the bonds in the carbon monoxide molecule:

• Two covalent polar, formed by the exchange mechanism due to the socialization of unpaired electrons;
• One dative, formed by the donor-acceptor interaction between a pair of electrons and a free orbital;
• There are three bonds in the molecule.

Physical properties

There are a number of characteristics that, like any other compound, carbon monoxide possesses. The formula of the substance makes it clear that the crystal lattice is molecular, the state under normal conditions is gaseous. Hence the following physical parameters.

1. С≡О - carbon monoxide (formula), density - 1,164 kg / m ³ .
2. The boiling point and melting point, respectively: 191/205 ⁰ C.
3. It dissolves in: water (slightly), ether, benzene, alcohol, chloroform.
4. It has no taste and smell.
5. It is colorless.

From a biological point of view, it is extremely dangerous for all living beings, except certain types of bacteria.

Chemical properties

From the standpoint of chemical activity, one of the most inert substances under normal conditions is carbon monoxide. The formula, which reflects all the bonds in the molecule, confirms this. It is because of this strong structure that this compound, with standard environmental parameters, practically does not enter into any interactions.

However, one should at least slightly warm up the system, as the dative bond in the molecule collapses, like covalent bonds. Then carbon monoxide begins to show active reducing properties, and strong enough. So, he is able to interact with:

• Oxygen;
• Chlorine;
• Alkalis (melts);
• With oxides and salts of metals;
• With sulfur;
• Slightly with water;
• With ammonia;
• With hydrogen.

Therefore, as already mentioned above, the properties that carbon monoxide displays, the formula largely explains it.

Being in nature

The main source of CO in the Earth's atmosphere is forest fires. After all, the main way of forming this gas naturally is incomplete combustion of various types of fuel, mainly of organic nature.

Anthropogenic sources of air pollution by carbon monoxide are equally important and give a mass percentage of the same percentage as natural. These include:

• Smoke from the work of factories and plants, metallurgical complexes and other industrial enterprises;
• Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines.

In natural conditions, carbon monoxide is easily oxidized by air oxygen and water vapor to carbon dioxide. This is the basis for first aid in poisoning this compound.

Receiving

It is worth pointing out one feature. Carbon monoxide (formula), carbon dioxide (the structure of the molecule), respectively, look like this: С≡О and О = С = О. The difference is one oxygen atom. Therefore, the industrial process for the production of monoxide is based on the reaction between dioxide and coal: CO ₂ + C = 2CO. This is the simplest and most common way to synthesize this compound.

The laboratory uses a variety of organic compounds, metal salts and complex substances, since the yield of the product does not expect too much.

A qualitative reagent for the presence in the air or a solution of carbon monoxide is palladium chloride. When they interact, a pure metal is formed, which causes a darkening of the solution or the surface of the paper.

Biological action on the body

As already stated above, carbon monoxide is a very toxic colorless, dangerous and deadly pest for the human body. And not only human, but in general, any living thing. Plants that are under the influence of car exhausts are dying very quickly.

What exactly is the biological effect of carbon monoxide on the internal environment of animal creatures? It's all about the formation of strong complex compounds of the hemoglobin blood protein and the gas in question. That is, poison molecules are captured instead of oxygen. Cellular respiration is instantly blocked, gas exchange becomes impossible in its normal course.

As a result, all hemoglobin molecules are gradually blocked and, as a consequence, death. It is enough to kill only 80%, so that the outcome of poisoning is lethal. To do this, the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air should be 0.1%.

The first signs on which it is possible to determine the onset of poisoning by this compound are:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• loss of consciousness.

The first help is to go to fresh air, where the carbon monoxide will turn into carbon dioxide under the influence of oxygen, that is, it will be rendered harmless. Cases of deaths from the action of the substance in question are very frequent, especially in houses with furnace heating. After all, when burning wood, coal and other types of fuel as a by-product, this gas is necessarily formed. Observance of safety rules is extremely important for the preservation of human life and health.

There are also many cases of poisoning in garage premises, where a lot of working car engines are assembled, but the influx of fresh air is not enough. Death in excess of the permissible concentration occurs in an hour. To feel the presence of gas is physically impossible, because there is no smell or color.

Use in industry

In the metallurgical industry, carbon monoxide is often used for metal reduction reactions from their oxides or salts. The formula of the resulting compound is CO ₂ . Also formed a pure substance - metal.

In addition, carbon monoxide is used:

• For the processing of meat and fish products, which allows them to give a fresh look;
• For the synthesis of certain organic compounds;
• As a component of the generator gas.

Therefore, this substance is not only harmful and dangerous, but also very useful for a person and his economic activities.