Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-03-22 21:52:41 UTC
Update Date2016-11-09 01:08:19 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM000608
Identification
Common NameSodium cobaltinitrite
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionSodium cobaltinitrite is a chemical compound of cobalt. It is used as a qualitative test for potassium and ammonium ions. Cobalt is a metallic element with the atomic number 27. It is found naturally in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. In small amounts cobalt is an essential element for life, as it is part of vitamin B12. However, excess exposure is known to exhibit toxic effects. Nitrite is a toxic compound known to cause methemoglobinemia. (8, 3, 4, 5)
Contaminant Sources
  • T3DB toxins
Contaminant Type
  • Cobalt Compound
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Inorganic Compound
  • Nitrite
  • Pollutant
  • Synthetic Compound
Chemical Structure
Thumb
SynonymsNot Available
Chemical FormulaCoH6N6Na3O12
Average Molecular Mass409.983 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass409.907 g/mol
CAS Registry Number13600-98-1
IUPAC Namecobalt(3+) ion trisodium hexakis(nitrous acid)
Traditional Namecobalt(3+) ion trisodium hexakis(nitrous acid)
SMILES[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Co+3].ON=O.ON=O.ON=O.ON=O.ON=O.ON=O
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/Co.6HNO2.3Na/c;6*2-1-3;;;/h;6*(H,2,3);;;/q+3;;;;;;;3*+1
InChI KeyZEBNDJQGEZXBCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as transition metal nitrites. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is nitrite, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is a transition metal.
KingdomInorganic compounds
Super ClassMixed metal/non-metal compounds
ClassTransition metal oxoanionic compounds
Sub ClassTransition metal nitrites
Direct ParentTransition metal nitrites
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Transition metal nitrite
  • Inorganic nitrite
  • Inorganic cobalt salt
  • Inorganic oxide
  • Inorganic salt
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External DescriptorsNot Available
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateSolid
AppearanceYellow solid.
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting PointNot Available
Boiling PointNot Available
SolubilityNot Available
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
logP0.17ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Acidic)3.32ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Basic)-3.5ChemAxon
Physiological Charge-1ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count3ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count1ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area49.66 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity8.72 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability2.81 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleNoChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
SpectraNot Available
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureInhalation (3) ; oral (3) ; dermal (3)
Mechanism of ToxicityCobalt is believed to exhibit its toxicity through a oxidant-based and free radical-based processes. It produces oxygen radicals and may be oxidized to ionic cobalt, causing increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and inducing certain enzymes that lead to cell apoptosis. Cobalt has also been shown to block inorganic calcium channels, possibly impairing neurotransmission. Cobalt can also chelate lipoic acids, impairing oxidation of pyruvate or fatty acids. In addition, cobalt may inhibit DNA repair by interacting with zinc finger DNA repair proteins, and has also been shown to inhibit heme synthesis and glucose metabolism. Cobalt may activate specific helper T-lymphocyte cells and interact directly with immunologic proteins, such as antibodies (IgA and IgE) or Fc receptors, resulting in immunosensitization. (3) Nitrite causes the autocatalytic oxidation of oxyhemoglobin to hydrogen peroxide and methemoglobin. This elevation of methemoglobin levels is a condition known as methemoglobinemia, and is characterized by tissue hypoxia, as methemoglobin cannot bind oxygen. (2, 9)
MetabolismCobalt is absorbed though the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Since it is a component of the vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), it is distributed to most tissues of the body. It is transported in the blood, often bound to albumin, with the highest levels being found in the liver and kidney. Cobalt is excreted mainly in the urine and faeces. Nitrites and their metabolites are also excreted in the urine. (8, 3)
Toxicity ValuesNot Available
Lethal Dose10 to 100 mg/kg for an adult human. (10)
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)Ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Cobalt compounds are possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Uses/SourcesSodium cobaltinitrite is used as a qualitative test for potassium and ammonium ions. (5)
Minimum Risk LevelChronic Inhalation: 0.0001 mg/m3 (6) Intermediate Oral: 0.01 mg/kg/day (6)
Health EffectsExposure to high amount of cobalt can cause heart, lung, kidney, and liver damage. Skin contact is known to result in contact dermatitus. Cobalt may also have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Nitrite poisoning causes methemoglobinemia. Nitrites may cause pregnancy complications and developmental effects. They may also be carcinogenic. (8, 3, 4)
SymptomsCobalt inhalation can cause asthma-like breathing problems. Skin contact is known to result in contact dermatitis, which is characterized by irritation and rashes. Ingesting large amounts of cobalt may cause nausea and vomiting. Nitrite poisoning causes methemoglobinemia. Symptoms include cyanosis, cardiac dysrhythmias and circulatory failure, and progressive central nervous system (CNS) effects. CNS effects can range from mild dizziness and lethargy to coma and convulsions. (11, 8, 3)
TreatmentTreatment of cobalt poisoning is symptomatic. Methemoglobinemia can be treated with supplemental oxygen and methylene blue 1% solution administered intravenously slowly over five minutes followed by IV flush with normal saline. Methylene blue restores the iron in hemoglobin to its normal (reduced) oxygen-carrying state. (9, 3)
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDNot Available
FooDB IDNot Available
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDNot Available
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkSodium cobaltinitrite
Chemspider IDNot Available
ChEBI IDNot Available
PubChem Compound ID44134942
Kegg Compound IDNot Available
YMDB IDNot Available
ECMDB IDNot Available
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General ReferencesNot Available