Hello Shafikul,

I have already worked with dicobalt octacarbonyl and will try to answer your question. The release of CO happens slowly at room temperature and is not a serious health risk. If you have the ability to do so, the best practice is to store and weigh it under inert conditions in a glove box. Older quantities will turn black as a result of the loss of CO and can be purified for use by careful sublimation in a vacuum. Ultimately, this is a powdery solid, so nitrile gloves and careful work should be sufficient.

Dear Shafikul,

many thanks for sharing this very interesting technical question with the RG community. I think that Florian already provided a very helpful and comprehensive answer. We also worked with Co2(CO)8 frequently in the past. The points "toxic, CO evolving, carcinogenic" are not really serious as you are certainly not planning to eat your cobalt carbonyl. You also don't want to decompose it to release the CO, right? The only significant problem with Co2(CO)8 is its pronounced air-sensitivity and lack of long-term thermal stability. Very pure Co2(CO)8 should form nice orange crystals. Quite often even commercial samples are purple or even black, which indicates the presence of the decomposition product Co4(CO)12. This can be removed either by sublimation under vacuum or recrystallization from pentane. In any case you should work with cobalt carbonyl under an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or argon using a Schlenk line or dry-box.

Good luck with your work and best wishes, Frank Edelmann

Hi Dr Shafikul Islam . I think the following link could help you:

https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AC291840050&productDescription=DICOBALT+OCTACARBONYL+5GR&vendorId=VN00032119&countryCode=US&language=en

all information about this product by Thermo fisher :

https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AC291840050&productDescription=DICOBALT+OCTACARBONYL+5GR&vendorId=VN00032119&countryCode=US&language=en

I think the following precautionary steps should be followed before handling dicobalt octacarbonyl, I have obtained this information from the material datasheet of the supplier of dicobalt octacarbonyl.

1. Precautionary Statements Prevention Obtain special instructions before use.

2. Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood

3. Use personal protective equipment as required Wash face, hands and any exposed skin thoroughly after handling.

4. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.

5. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area Wear respiratory protection In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.

6. Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace Wear protective gloves Keep cool.

7. Protect from sunlight Response IF exposed or concerned: Get medical attention/advice Inhalation

IF INHALED:

1. Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician Skin.

IF ON SKIN:

Wash with plenty of soap and water Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell Wash contaminated clothing before reuse If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention Ingestion

IF SWALLOWED:

Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

Do NOT induce vomiting Rinse mouth.

Storage

Store locked up Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed Maintain air gap between stacks/pallets Store bulk masses greater than .? kg/ .? lbs at temperatures not exceeding .? °C/ .? °F Store away from other materials Disposal Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant Hazards not otherwise classified (HNOC) Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects WARNING. Reproductive Harm - https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/. _____________________________________________________

Dear RG Fellows

Thank you all for your valuable information. Special thanks goes to Frank T. Edelmann and Florian Morsbach for sharing their working experience with Co2(CO)8.