Breaking news for the CO bond

UK scientists have pinpointed the moment that the CO bond, the strongest bond of any diatomic molecule, breaks when oxidised by a gold catalyst. 

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisons the blood by binding to the oxygen-carrier haemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport in the body. Its oxidation to carbon dioxide is an essential process for life preservation applications such as in submarines, mining industries and for space travel. Gold catalysts can be used in the oxidation process at ambient temperature.  More...

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2010/December/10121001.asp