1. Paints, Coatings & Adhesives

• Drying Agent/Catalyst: In paints and coatings, cobalt acetate functions as a catalyst, speeding up the oxidation process that causes the paint to harden and dry. This is particularly useful in oil-based systems where the drying time can be significantly reduced. 
• Precursor: It serves as a precursor for various oil drying agents, meaning it's a starting material for creating other compounds that are used as driers.

2. Performance chemicals

• Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) Production: Cobalt acetate, often as cobalt(II) acetate, acts as a catalyst in the oxidation of para-xylene to PTA and DMT, which are then used to make PET.
• Direct Amination of Azoles: It can catalyze the direct amination of azoles under mild conditions.
• Oxygen Evolution Reaction: It's used as a precursor to synthesize cobalt titanium oxide catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.
• Carbon Nanofiber Growth: It's used to prepare polymer-stabilized Co nanocatalysts for growing carbon nanofibers.

3. Polymers & Resins

• Controlled Radical Polymerization: Cobalt acetate is a key component in cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP), a method that allows for better control over polymer molecular weight and distribution compared to traditional radical polymerization. 
• Living Polymerization: CMRP exhibits living polymerization characteristics, meaning the polymer chains continue to grow throughout the reaction, allowing for the synthesis of polymers with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions.

4. Energy

• Cathode Material: Cobalt acetate acts as a precursor for synthesizing lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), a key component in the cathode of lithium-ion batteries.
• Oxidation and Esterification: Cobalt acetate is used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, including oxidation and esterification, which are important in the production of fuels and other energy-related chemicals. 
• Oxygen Reduction: Cobalt-based catalysts derived from cobalt acetate are used in fuel cells to catalyze the reduction of oxygen, a crucial reaction for electricity generation.

5. Pharmaceuticals

• Vitamin B12 Synthesis: Cobalt acetate is a key ingredient in the production of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), a vital nutrient for human health. It acts as a source of cobalt, an essential element in the vitamin's structure.

6. Metal Treatment

• Catalysis: Cobalt acetate acts as a catalyst in various reactions, notably in the oxidation of organic compounds. It can accelerate the rate of reactions such as the oxidation of hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen.
• Drying Agent: In the context of metal treatment, cobalt acetate is employed as a drying agent in paints and varnishes. It speeds up the drying process by promoting the oxidation and hardening of the coating.
• Metal Complex Synthesis: Cobalt acetate is used to prepare various metal complexes with unusual coordination geometries. These complexes can be used for research purposes, particularly in the study of metal properties and behavior.
• Nanoparticle Synthesis: It serves as a precursor for the synthesis of cobalt nanoparticles, which have diverse applications in materials science and catalysis.

7. Water Treatment

• Catalyst: Cobalt acetate is a known catalyst in various chemical reactions, including some that are relevant to water treatment processes. For example, it can be used as a catalyst in the oxidation of pollutants in wastewater. 
• Synthesis of Materials: Cobalt acetate is used as a precursor in the synthesis of other materials that are then used in water treatment. For example, it can be used in the synthesis of cobalt-based nanoparticles with properties suitable for dye adsorption or as catalysts for pollutant degradation.

8. Animal Healthcare

• Vitamin B12 Synthesis: Cobalt is a crucial component of vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin). Ruminants, like cows and sheep, can synthesize vitamin B12 in their rumen through microbial action. Cobalt acetate is used to ensure adequate levels of cobalt are available for this synthesis. 
• Essential for Ruminants: Ruminants rely on vitamin B12 for various metabolic processes, including carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, methionine synthesis, and DNA methylation. 
• Supplementation: Since many feed ingredients are low in cobalt, supplementation is often necessary to meet the animal's needs. Cobalt acetate is a readily available form of cobalt used in animal feed.