Cobalt Equilibrium

Hazards

Cobalt Chloride is considered toxic.

Chemicals and Solutions

• Solid CoCl₂*6H₂O
• Absolute Ethanol

Materials

• Water
• Small crystalizing dish

Procedure

1. Add a few crystals of CoCl₂*6H₂O to crystalizing dish on the overhead projector.
2. Add about 25 ml of ethanol. This gives a deep blue color.
3. Add water drop-wise showing the change from deep blue to pink.

An alternate version uses concentrated HCl in lieu of ethanol.