Properties | More Info | Isotopes | Spectra
Compounds | Reactions | Production
Atomic: M.A.C. | Reference
Images | Video
Cobalt Compounds
   Cerulean blue
   Cobalt green
   Cobalt(II) chloride
   Cobalt(II) oxide
   Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Cerulean blue 
Cerulean blue is a cerulean (light blue or azure) pigment used in artistic painting. It is particularly valuable for painting atmospheric shades because of the purity of the blue (specifically the lack of greenish hues). The pigment is regarded as permanent: in oil, no other blue pigment retains colour as well.
It was discovered in 1805 by Andreas Hopfner
Cobalt green CoO and ZnO
Cobalt green (Rinmann's green), is a translucent green pigment made by mixing cobalt(II) oxide and zinc oxide and heating. It was invented by Swedish chemist Sven Rinmann in 1780. Although it is stable and can be safely mixed with other pigments, it is rarely used because it is a weak pigment for its cost.
Cobalt(II) chloride CoCl2
Because of the dramatic colour change from anhydrous to hydrous and the ease of the reaction, cobalt chloride is used as an indicator of water.
Anyhdrous cobalt chloride is light blue, hydrous cobalt chloride (CoCl2(H2O)6) is bright pink.
Cobalt(II) oxide CoO
A blackish gray powder used extensively in the ceramics industry (earliest examples go back to 12th century Germany) as an additive to create blue coloured (a deep shade called cobalt blue) glazes and enamels as well as in the chemical industry for producing cobaltous salts.
Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) C63H88CoN14O14P
Vitamin B12 is required by many organisms, including humans. Deficiency causes anemia.
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods including meat (especially liver and shellfish), eggs, and milk products.