Carbon monoxide (CHEM000170)

IdentificationTaxonomyBiological PropertiesPhysical PropertiesToxicity ProfileSpectraConcentrationsLinksReferencesTargets (30)XML
Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-03-06 18:58:15 UTC
Update Date2026-04-17 18:03:57 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM000170
Identification
Common NameCarbon monoxide
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionCarbon monoxide, with the chemical formula CO, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is the product of the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds, notably in internal-combustion engines. It consists of one carbon atom covalently bonded to one oxygen atom. It is a gas at room temperature. Carbon monoxide is a significantly toxic gas and is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries. Exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart. Carbon monoxide has a higher diffusion coefficient compared to oxygen and the only enzyme in the human body that produces carbon monoxide is heme oxygenase which is located in all cells and breaks down heme. Because it has a higher diffusion coefficient than oxygen the body easily gets rid of any CO made. When CO is not ventilated it binds to hemoglobin, which is the principal oxygen-carrying compound in blood; this produces a compound known as carboxyhemoglobin. The traditional belief is that carbon monoxide toxicity arises from the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and inhibits the transport, delivery, and utilization of oxygen by the body. The affinity between hemoglobin and carbon monoxide is approximately 230 times stronger than the affinity between hemoglobin and oxygen so hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide in preference to oxygen. Following poisoning, long-term sequelae often occur. Carbon monoxide can also have severe effects on the fetus of a pregnant woman. Despite its serious toxicity, CO is extremely useful and underpins much modern technology, being a precursor to a myriad of useful - even life-saving - products. Carbon monoxide, though thought of as a pollutant today, has always been present in the atmosphere, chiefly as a product of volcanic activity. It occurs dissolved in molten volcanic rock at high pressures in the earth's mantle. Carbon monoxide contents of volcanic gases vary from less than 0.01% to as much as 2% depending on the volcano. It also occurs naturally in bushfires. Because natural sources of carbon monoxide are so variable from year to year, it is extremely difficult to accurately measure natural emissions of the gas. (wikipedia).
Contaminant Sources
  • FooDB Chemicals
  • HPV EPA Chemicals
  • T3DB toxins
  • Tobacco Smoke Compounds
Contaminant Type
  • Food Toxin
  • Industrial By-product/Pollutant
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Metabolite
  • Natural Compound
  • Organic Compound
  • Pollutant
Chemical Structure
Thumb
MOLSDFPDBSMILESInChI
Synonyms
ValueSource
[CO]ChEBI
C#OChEBI
COChEBI
Monoxide, carbonHMDB
Chemical FormulaCO
Average Molecular Mass28.010 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass27.995 g/mol
CAS Registry Number630-08-0
IUPAC NameNot Available
Traditional NameNot Available
SMILES[C-]#[O+]
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/CO/c1-2
InChI KeyUGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous other non-metal compounds. These are inorganic non-metallic compounds in which the largest atom belongs to the class of 'other non-metals'.
KingdomInorganic compounds
Super ClassHomogeneous non-metal compounds
ClassHomogeneous other non-metal compounds
Sub ClassNot Available
Direct ParentHomogeneous other non-metal compounds
Alternative ParentsNot Available
Substituents
  • Homogeneous other non metal
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginEndogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
  • Membrane
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
Applications
Biological Roles
Chemical Roles
Physical Properties
StateGas
AppearanceColorless gas.
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting Point−205.02 °C
Boiling Point−191.5 °C
Solubility1.48 mg/mL at 25°C
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
Water Solubility6.37 g/LALOGPS
logP-0.06ALOGPS
logS-1.1ALOGPS
Hydrogen Acceptor Count0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count0ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area0 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity26.23 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability1.94 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveNoChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleYesChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-004i-9000000000-5ea4ad4bdb0565b737bbSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-004i-9000000000-5ea4ad4bdb0565b737bbSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-004i-9000000000-5ea4ad4bdb0565b737bbSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-b175ec2a41978516a72eSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-b175ec2a41978516a72eSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-b175ec2a41978516a72eSpectrum
MSMass Spectrum (Electron Ionization)splash10-004i-9000000000-dfbb2bd73fc3d527a340Spectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureInhalation (1)
Mechanism of ToxicityCarbon monoxide possesses a higher affinity than oxygen for hemoglobin, leading to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, this provoking anoxemia. Carbon monoxide also binds to myoglobin, impairing its ability to utilize oxygen. It can also bind to cytochrome c oxidase, though with a lesser affinity than oxygen. This interferes with aerobic metabolism and efficient ATP synthesis. As a result, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism, causing anoxia, lactic acidosis, and eventual cell death. Carbon monoxide also causes endothelial cell and platelet release of nitric oxide, and the formation of oxygen free radicals. This results in lipid peroxidation, leading to edema and necrosis within the brain. (2)
MetabolismNot Available
Toxicity ValuesNot Available
Lethal Dose5000 ppm over 5 minutes for an adult human. (3)
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/SourcesCarbon monoxide is a major atmospheric pollutant in urban areas, chiefly from exhaust of internal combustion engines, but also from improper burning of various other fuels. (1)
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsChronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide may cause persistent headaches, lightheadedness, depression, confusion, memory loss, and nausea and vomiting. (2)
SymptomsEarly symptoms of acute carbon monoxide poisoning are nonspecific and include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Symptoms may progress to tachycardia and hypertension. The central nervous system is one of the organ systems most sensitive to poisoning and symptoms displayed include dizziness, ataxia, confusion, convulsions, unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, and even death. (2)
TreatmentCarbon monoxide poisoning is first treated by immediate removal from the source of exposure. High-flow or 100% oxygen should then be administered by a nonrebreather reservoir oxygen mask. Oxygen hastens the dissociation of carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, improving tissue oxygenation by reducing carbon monoxides biological half-life. Hyperbaric oxygen may also be used, as it increases carboxyhemoglobin dissociation to a greater extent than normal oxygen. (2)
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDDB11588
HMDB IDHMDB0001361
FooDB IDFDB022578
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG ID1749973
BioCyc IDCARBON-MONOXIDE
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkCarbon_monoxide
Chemspider ID275
ChEBI ID17245
PubChem Compound ID281
Kegg Compound IDC00237
YMDB IDYMDB16138
ECMDB IDECMDB23004
References
Synthesis ReferenceIvanova, Svetlana; Pitchon, Veronique; Petit, Corinne. Application of the direct exchange method in the preparation of gold catalysts supported on different oxide materials. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical (2006), 256(1-2), 278-283.
MSDSNot Available
General References
1. Ivanova, Svetlana; Pitchon, Veronique; Petit, Corinne. Application of the direct exchange method in the preparation of gold catalysts supported on different oxide materials. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical (2006), 256(1-2), 278-283.
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=10085152
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=10679539
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=11572959
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=14527438
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=14563665
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15127883
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15598489
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=16371440
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=16520836
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17041734
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=18094356
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19909254
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23762709
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=7022476
16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=8240252
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=8620577