Cobalt chloride

Cobalt chloride is an inorganic salt of cobalt (CoCl2) that appears as a pink to red solid or pale blue leaflets, turning pink in moist air. It is soluble in water, alcohols, acetone, ether, glycerol, and pyridine. Historically, it has been used as a hematinic to stimulate red blood cell production and for treating iron deficiency and chronic renal failure. It is also utilized as a trace mineral supplement in animal nutrition, particularly in equine diets, to support vitamin B12 synthesis, which is vital for energy metabolism and red blood cell formation. In research, cobalt chloride is widely employed as a chemical inducer of hypoxia-like responses, primarily by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α). Despite its biological activities, its therapeutic use is limited due to significant toxicity concerns, including cardiotoxicity, hypothyroidism, and its classification as a suspected carcinogen. It also finds applications as a moisture indicator, in electroplating, as a catalyst, and in diagnostic patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis.

Other names

Cobalt(II) chlorideCobalt dichlorideCobaltous chlorideCobalt muriateCobaltous dichlorideCoCl2CoCl-2CoCl 2