Products
Cobalt is found in drugs that contain vitamin B12. Unlike other trace elements, it is otherwise virtually never found in vitamin and mineral supplements.
Structure and properties
Cobalt (Co) is a chemical element with atomic number 27 that exists as a hard, silver-gray, and ferromagnetic transition metal with a high melting point of 1495 °C. Typical oxidation states are +2 and +3, and the electron configuration is (Ar)3d74s2. In vitamin B12, the oxidation state is usually +3, but it can be lower. The name of the metal is derived from cobalt. The salt cobalt chloride (CoCl2, oxidation state +2) exists in the anhydrous state in the form of blue crystals. If it absorbs water, its color changes to purple or pink.
Effects
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a very important role in the synthesis of nucleic acids, cell division, myelin formation and blood formation, among other things. Vitamin B12 is essential for the body and is produced by microorganisms. Cobalt is additionally found in some enzymes. The human body contains a total of only about 1 to 2 mg of the trace element.
Areas of application
In pharmaceuticals and medicine:
- In the form of vitamin B12 for the prevention and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency.
- For radiation therapy (isotopes).
- For allergy testing.
- For the manufacture of implants.
Other areas of application:
- For the production of lithium ion batteries.
- For alloys.
- Cobalt compounds were used during centuries as a blue dye, for example, for glass and porcelain (eg Ming Dynasty).
Dosage
The daily requirement for vitamin B12 for adults is 4.0 µg (DACH reference values).
Adverse effects
Cobalt compounds, such as cobalt(II) chloride, are toxic, fruit-damaging, and carcinogenic. The safety of implants containing cobalt is controversial. Cobalt can cause metal allergy.
