1) cobalt iodide has an intense color, thus this colorless salt cannot be CoCl2. It is mislabeled. 2) No. usually hydrate salts are crystalline, but not chalky looking powder, since it contains waters of crystallization. Solution 1) cobalt iodide has an intense color, thus this colorless salt cannot be CoCl2. It is mislabeled. 2) No. usually hydrate salts are crystalline, but not chalky looking powder, since it contains waters of crystallization..