Carbon(II) Oxide: Laboratory Preparation, Properties, and its Effect on Blood | Chemistry for JAMB PDF Download

Carbon(II) Oxide: Laboratory Preparation

Carbon(II) oxide, also known as carbon monoxide (CO), is a colorless, odorless gas. It is primarily produced in the laboratory through the following methods:

Reaction of Carbon with Carbon(IV) Oxide:
When carbon, in the form of charcoal or coke, is heated with an excess of carbon(IV) oxide (CO₂) at high temperatures, carbon(II) oxide is formed. The reaction can be represented as follows:
C(s) + CO₂(g) → 2CO(g)

Incomplete Combustion of Carbon-Containing Substances:
Carbon(II) oxide is also produced during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances such as coal, wood, or hydrocarbons. In situations with limited oxygen supply, carbon(II) oxide is formed instead of carbon(IV) oxide.

Properties of Carbon(II) Oxide

Physical Properties:

• Carbon(II) oxide is a colorless and odorless gas.
• It is slightly soluble in water, with which it forms carbonic acid.
• The density of carbon(II) oxide is lower than that of air.
• It is highly flammable and burns with a blue flame, forming carbon(IV) oxide.

Chemical Properties:

• Carbon(II) oxide is a reducing agent. It readily reacts with many metal oxides to form metals and carbon(IV) oxide.
• It combines with certain transition metals, such as nickel, to form stable compounds known as metal carbonyls.
• Carbon(II) oxide does not support combustion and can act as an asphyxiant in high concentrations.

Effect of Carbon(II) Oxide on Blood

• Carbon(II) oxide has a significant impact on blood and human health. When inhaled, it binds to hemoglobin, a protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This reduces the capacity of hemoglobin to carry oxygen, leading to a condition known as carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, unconsciousness or death. It is essential to ensure proper ventilation in closed spaces and to have carbon monoxide detectors in areas where combustion occurs, such as homes with fuel-burning appliances.

Sources of Carbon(II) Oxide

Carbon(II) oxide is produced from various sources, including:

• Charcoal: Incomplete combustion of charcoal can release carbon(II) oxide.
• Fire: Fires, especially those with inadequate oxygen supply, produce carbon(II) oxide.
• Exhaust Fumes: Combustion engines, such as those in vehicles, emit carbon(II) oxide in their exhaust fumes.

Understanding the laboratory preparation, properties, and effects of carbon(II) oxide on blood is crucial for both academic knowledge and real-life applications. It is important to handle this gas with caution due to its hazardous nature and potential health risks associated with exposure.