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octacarbonyldicobalt

chemical compound

Quick Summary

Octacarbonyldicobalt, with the chemical formula Co2(CO)8, is a metal carbonyl compound. Metal carbonyls are coordination complexes where carbon monoxide (CO) molecules act as ligands, bonding to a metal atom. Octacarbonyldicobalt is formed by the direct reaction of carbon monoxide with finely divided cobalt.1

This compound is polynuclear, meaning it contains more than one metal atom. It is used as a catalyst in hydroformylation, a process that converts alkenes into aldehydes. Metal carbonyls, in general, are known for their distinctive bonding and reactivity patterns, and they find applications in inorganic chemistry and industrial processes such as catalysis and metal refining.1

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