COBALT OCTOATE %6

Cobalt octoate 6% typically appears as a deep violet to blue viscous liquid, though color can range to greenish tints depending on coordination state and solvent. 
Commercial formulations are solutions in mineral spirits, naphtha, or other hydrocarbon solvents to facilitate handling and blending. 
The 6% concentration represents an optimal balance between catalytic activity, solubility, and handling safety.
 
IUPAC Name: Cobalt bis(2-ethylhexanoate)
Common Industrial Names: Cobalt octoate, Cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate, Cobalt(II) octanoate
Alternative Chemical Names: Cobalt soap, Cobalt drier, Cobalt catalyst (for polyester/polyurethane)
CAS Registry Number: 136-52-7
EC Number: 205-250-6
UN Number: 3082 (Environmentally hazardous substance)
Molecular Architecture:
 Molecular Formula: C₁₆H₃₀CoO₄ (monomer)
 Actual Composition: Variable coordination complexes, typically Co₄O(O₂CR)₆ type clusters
 Empirical Formula for 6% Solution: Variable based on carrier solvent
 Cobalt Content: 6.0 ± 0.2% by weight (as metallic cobalt)
 
Physical Property Data (Typical 6% in mineral spirits):
Appearance: Deep blue-violet liquid
Density: 0.89-0.92 g/mL at 25°C
Viscosity: 150-250 cP at 25°C
Flash Point: 40-45°C (depending on carrier solvent)
Cobalt Content: 6.0% ± 0.2% (w/w, as Co metal)
Acid Value: <5 mg KOH/g
Solubility: Miscible with most organic solvents (hydrocarbons, ketones, esters); immiscible with water
Refractive Index: 1.455-1.465
Chemical Structure and Catalytic Mechanism:
 Cobalt octoate exists primarily as tetranuclear clusters with a central μ₄-oxo atom (Co₄O core) surrounded by six bridging 2-ethylhexanoate ligands. This cluster structure is maintained in non-polar solvents but can dissociate in coordinating solvents.
Drying/Oxidative Polymerization Catalysis:
 In unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd paints, cobalt acts as a redox catalyst:
Initiation: Co²⁺ + ROOH → Co³⁺ + RO• + OH⁻
Propagation: Co³⁺ + ROOH → Co²⁺ + ROO• + H⁺
Peroxide decomposition: ROOH → RO• + •OH (catalyzed by Co)
 The radical species initiate crosslinking through addition to C=C bonds in drying oils.
Polyurethane Catalysis:
 In polyurethane foams, cobalt octoate catalyzes the gelation reaction (isocyanate-hydroxyl reaction) preferentially over the blowing reaction (isocyanate-water reaction), providing control over foam structure.
Optimal Concentration Ranges:
Unsaturated polyester: 0.02-0.04% Co metal based on resin
Alkyd coatings: 0.005-0.02% Co metal based on vehicle solids
Polyurethane: 0.01-0.05% based on polyol (with amine co-catalyst)
Industrial Applications:
Composite Materials Manufacturing:*
FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic): Primary accelerator for room-temperature cure of orthophthalic and isophthalic polyester resins
Gel coats: Provides controlled gel time (typically 15-25 minutes at 25°C)
SMC/BMC (Sheet/Bulk Molding Compound): Adjusts cure kinetics for compression molding
Coating Systems:
Architectural paints: Main drier in alkyd-based systems
Industrial maintenance coatings: Often combined with zirconium and calcium driers
Printing inks: Cobalt drier for oxidative curing
Polyurethane Systems:
Flexible slabstock foam: Secondary gelation catalyst (with amine catalysts)
RIM (Reaction Injection Molding): Controls flow/cure balance
Analytical Characterization:
Spectroscopic Methods:
UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Characteristic d-d transitions at 540 nm (ε ~ 300) and 590 nm (ε ~ 250) in hydrocarbon solvents
FT-IR Spectroscopy: νas(COO⁻) 1570-1590 cm⁻¹, νs(COO⁻) 1410-1430 cm⁻¹, Δν(COO⁻) ~150 cm⁻¹ indicative of bridging carboxylate
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: For precise cobalt content determination (λ = 240.7 nm)
Titration Methods:
Cobalt Content: Digest with nitric/sulfuric acid, then EDTA titration with murexide indicator
Acid Value: Potentiometric titration with KOH in ethanol (ASTM D1639)
Safety and Handling:
GHS Classification: Aquatic toxicity (Category 2), Suspected carcinogen (Category 2)
Cobalt Classification: CMR 1B (Carcinogen, Mutagen, Reprotoxic)
Personal Protection: Nitrile gloves, safety goggles, ventilation, avoid skin contact
Disposal: Hazardous waste, special requirements for cobalt compounds
Physical Property Data (Typical 6% in mineral spirits):
Appearance: Deep blue-violet liquid
Density: 0.89-0.92 g/mL at 25°C
Viscosity: 150-250 cP at 25°C
Flash Point: 40-45°C (depending on carrier solvent)
Cobalt Content: 6.0% ± 0.2% (w/w, as Co metal)
Acid Value: <5 mg KOH/g
Solubility: Miscible with most organic solvents (hydrocarbons, ketones, esters); immiscible with water
Refractive Index: 1.455-1.465
Chemical Structure and Catalytic Mechanism:
 Cobalt octoate exists primarily as tetranuclear clusters with a central μ₄-oxo atom (Co₄O core) surrounded by six bridging 2-ethylhexanoate ligands. This cluster structure is maintained in non-polar solvents but can dissociate in coordinating solvents.
Drying/Oxidative Polymerization Catalysis:
 In unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd paints, cobalt acts as a redox catalyst:
Initiation: Co²⁺ + ROOH → Co³⁺ + RO• + OH⁻
Propagation: Co³⁺ + ROOH → Co²⁺ + ROO• + H⁺
Peroxide decomposition: ROOH → RO• + •OH (catalyzed by Co)
 The radical species initiate crosslinking through addition to C=C bonds in drying oils.
Polyurethane Catalysis:
 In polyurethane foams, cobalt octoate catalyzes the gelation reaction (isocyanate-hydroxyl reaction) preferentially over the blowing reaction (isocyanate-water reaction), providing control over foam structure.
Optimal Concentration Ranges:
Unsaturated polyester: 0.02-0.04% Co metal based on resin
Alkyd coatings: 0.005-0.02% Co metal based on vehicle solids
Polyurethane: 0.01-0.05% based on polyol (with amine co-catalyst)
Industrial Applications:
Composite Materials Manufacturing:*
FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic): Primary accelerator for room-temperature cure of orthophthalic and isophthalic polyester resins
Gel coats: Provides controlled gel time (typically 15-25 minutes at 25°C)
SMC/BMC (Sheet/Bulk Molding Compound): Adjusts cure kinetics for compression molding
Coating Systems:
Architectural paints: Main drier in alkyd-based systems
Industrial maintenance coatings: Often combined with zirconium and calcium driers
Printing inks: Cobalt drier for oxidative curing
Polyurethane Systems:
Flexible slabstock foam: Secondary gelation catalyst (with amine catalysts)
RIM (Reaction Injection Molding): Controls flow/cure balance
Analytical Characterization:
Spectroscopic Methods:
UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Characteristic d-d transitions at 540 nm (ε ~ 300) and 590 nm (ε ~ 250) in hydrocarbon solvents
FT-IR Spectroscopy: νas(COO⁻) 1570-1590 cm⁻¹, νs(COO⁻) 1410-1430 cm⁻¹, Δν(COO⁻) ~150 cm⁻¹ indicative of bridging carboxylate
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: For precise cobalt content determination (λ = 240.7 nm)
Titration Methods:
Cobalt Content: Digest with nitric/sulfuric acid, then EDTA titration with murexide indicator
Acid Value: Potentiometric titration with KOH in ethanol (ASTM D1639)
Safety and Handling:
GHS Classification: Aquatic toxicity (Category 2), Suspected carcinogen (Category 2)
Cobalt Classification: CMR 1B (Carcinogen, Mutagen, Reprotoxic)
Personal Protection: Nitrile gloves, safety goggles, ventilation, avoid skin contact
Disposal: Hazardous waste, special requirements for cobalt compounds

SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT COBALT OCTOATE %6

 
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician. 
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
 
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. 
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. 
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
 
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
 
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting. 
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 
Rinse mouth with water. 
Consult a physician.
 
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
 
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment. 
 
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. 
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
 
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste. 
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
 
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
 
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. 
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
 
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
 
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles. 
Faceshield (8-inch minimum). 
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
 
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves. 
Gloves must be inspected prior to use. 
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. 
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. 
Wash and dry hands.
 
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
 
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. 
 
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. 
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. 
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. 
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
 
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. 
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product