Organometallic decomposition

[Eigenvalue]

I have an organometallic substance made from cobalt and carbonyls.

What are some possible decomposition products when the substance is irradiated with a lot of energy (photons or electrons)?

[Tartaglia]

The pi back donation to the CO ligands in Co2(CO)8 is pretty weak and so the CO ligands can be knocked off easily. There may be higher oligomers produced eg Co4(CO)12, but as long as oxygen isn't present you should get Co metal and CO gas. If oxygen is present there will probably be some Co(III) oxide produced

[Eigenvalue]

That is exactly the answer I was hoping to hear. Thank you very much!

 

By the way, do you know if the oxygen from CO is likely to get free and form cobalt oxide, without oxygen in the environment.

[Tartaglia]

By the way, do you know if the oxygen from CO is likely to get free and form cobalt oxide, without oxygen in the environment.

 

As long as you don't go too far into the UV I would think this unlikely

[Eigenvalue]

What are some good solvents for cobalt carbonyl (at least in theory)?

Would Methanol work? or maybe hexane?

[Tartaglia]

Sorry Eigenvalue, I didn't see your last post until now.

 

As far as I am aware there are two forms of Co2CO8 both of which have high symmetry and no dipole. (One has bridging carbonyls, one doesn't). Therefore any non polar solvent will probably do. I would probably use 40/60 pet ether