Later in 1776, the French chemist de Lassone produced CO by heating zinc oxide with coke, but mistakenly concluded that the gaseous product was hydrogen, as it burned with a blue flame. Torbern Bergman isolated carbon monoxide from oxalic acid in 1775. Carl Wilhelm Scheele similarly isolated carbon monoxide from charcoal in 1773 and thought it could be the carbonic entity making fumes toxic.

Joseph Priestley is considered to have first synthesized carbon monoxide in 1772. Herman Boerhaave conducted the first scientific experiments on the effect of carbon monoxide (coal fumes) on animals in the 1730s. Friedrich Hoffmann conducted the first modern scientific investigation into carbon monoxide poisoning from coal in 1716. Georg Ernst Stahl mentioned carbonarii halitus in 1697 in reference to toxic vapors thought to be carbon monoxide. Cleopatra may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Greek physician Galen (129–199 AD) speculated that there was a change in the composition of the air that caused harm when inhaled, and many others of the era developed a basis of knowledge about carbon monoxide in the context of coal fume toxicity. Aristotle (384–322 BC) first recorded that burning coals produced toxic fumes. Ancient history Įarly civilizations developed mythological tales to explain the origin of fire, such as Prometheus from Greek mythology who shared fire with humans. Apart from the toxicity of carbon monoxide, indigenous Native Americans may have experienced the neuroactive properties of carbon monoxide through shamanistic fireside rituals. The early development of metallurgy and smelting technologies emerging circa 6,000 BC through the Bronze Age likewise plagued humankind from carbon monoxide exposure. Early humans probably discovered the toxicity of carbon monoxide poisoning upon introducing fire into their dwellings. Humans have maintained a complex relationship with carbon monoxide since first learning to control fire circa 800,000 BC. It is isoelectronic with both cyanide anion CN − and molecular nitrogen N 2. In mammalian physiology, carbon monoxide is a classical example of hormesis where low concentrations serve as an endogenous neurotransmitter ( gasotransmitter) and high concentrations are toxic resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is produced by many organisms, including humans. Ĭarbon monoxide has important biological roles across phylogenetic kingdoms. Upon emission into the atmosphere, carbon monoxide affects several processes that contribute to climate change. In industry, carbon monoxide is important in the production of many compounds, including drugs, fragrances, and fuels. Numerous environmental and biological sources generate carbon monoxide. The most common source of carbon monoxide is the partial combustion of carbon-containing compounds. It is a key ingredient in many processes in industrial chemistry. In coordination complexes, the carbon monoxide ligand is called carbonyl. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. Carbon monoxide ( chemical formula CO) is a poisonous, flammable gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and slightly less dense than air.

Properties of carbon element