Dicarbon monoxide

Dicarbon monoxide (C₂O) is a molecule that contains two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It is a linear molecule that, because of its simplicity, is of interest in a variety of areas. It is, however, so extremely reactive that it is not encountered in everyday life. It is classified as a carbene, cumulene and an oxocarbon.^[1]

Dicarbon monoxide

Stick model of dicarbon monoxide Spacefill model of dicarbon monoxide
Ball and stick model of dicarbon monoxide
Names
IUPAC name 2-Oxoethenylidene
Other names Ketenylidene
Identifiers
CAS Number	119754-08-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	164756 Y
PubChem CID	189691
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID80152576
InChI InChI=1S/C2O/c1-2-3 Y Key: VILAVOFMIJHSJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1S/C2O/c1-2-3 Key: VILAVOFMIJHSJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N InChI=1/C2O/c1-2-3 Key: VILAVOFMIJHSJA-UHFFFAOYAI
SMILES [C]=C=O
Properties
Chemical formula	C2O
Molar mass	40.021 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Occurrence

Dicarbon monoxide is a product of the photolysis of carbon suboxide:^[2][3]

C₃O₂ → CO + C₂O

It is stable enough to observe reactions with NO and NO₂.^[4]

Called ketenylidene in organometallic chemistry, it is a ligand observed in metal carbonyl clusters, e.g. [OC₂Co₃(CO)₉]⁺. Ketenylidenes are proposed as intermediates in the chain growth mechanism of the Fischer-Tropsch Process, which converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbon fuels.^[5]

The organophosphorus compound (C₆H₅)₃PCCO (CAS# 15596-07-3) contains the C₂O functionality. Sometimes called Bestmann's Ylide, it is a yellow solid.^[6]