Aluminum Iodide
Aluminum Iodide Formula- Aluminum Iodide is a compound that only contains aluminum and iodine. Also, its forms by the reaction between aluminum and iodine. It is an ionic compound which in certain organic reactions used as a catalyst. Furthermore, it is a hexahydrate that we obtain from the reaction between metallic aluminum and or aluminum hydroxide with hydrogen iodine or hydroiodic acid. Besides, it is a strong Lewis acid and will absorb water from the atmosphere. In addition, we employ it as a reagent for the scission of certain kinds of C-O and N-O bonds. Moreover, it cleaves aryl ethers and deoxygenates epoxides.
Aluminum Iodide Structural Formula
The structural depiction of Aluminum Iodide is as shown in the diagram below.
Aluminum Iodide Occurrence
In nature, both elements exist separately, and aluminum iodide forms in special conditions of labs and industries. Aluminum exists in atomic form freely and iodine exists as a molecule I2.
Aluminum Iodide Preparation
Iodine belongs to the halogen family which is highly reactive non-metals. Also, it is a diatomic element which means it is highly reactive and is much more stable in molecular form. That gives I2. Besides, aluminum exists in an atomic form so the reaction between aluminum and iodine is:
Al + I2 → AlI3
The reaction starts with two atoms of iodine and ends with three atoms of iodine. This happens because an aluminum atom needs to lose 1 electron or gain 3 electrons to complete its outer shell electrons. In the same way, iodine needs to either gain or lose 1 electron to complete its outer shell. That’s why aluminum requires three iodine atoms to complete its outer shell.
Aluminum Iodide Physical Properties
It is a colorless powder which has a density of 3.98 g/cm3. Furthermore, its melting point is 189.4oC and the boiling point is 360oC. It has a molar mass of 407.69 g/mol. It can dissolve in substances such as water, ethanol, diethyl ether, carbon disulfide, pyridine, and sulfur dioxide.
| Chemical formula | AlI3 |
| Molecular weight | 407.695 g/mol (anhydrous)515.786 g/mol (hexahydrate) |
| Density | 3.98 g/cm3 (anhydrous)2.63 g/cm3 (hexahydrate) |
| solubility | Soluble in water |
| Boiling Point | 382 °C (anhydrous) |
| Crystalline structure | Monoclinic |
Aluminum Iodide Chemical Properties
It is an ionic compound that is used as a catalyst (added to make the process faster) in certain organic reactions and as a spray when treating animal stalls. Also, it releases a great amount of heat, meaning it is exothermic that’s why scientists and industries conduct it in a special heat resistant container and in a fume hood. Purple vapor forms when iodine reacts with aluminum in the presence of water.
Aluminum Iodide Uses
Commonly we use it as an animal stall cleaner where its vapor works. Treatment from it kills the germs that can cause respiratory diseases on the farm. In organic chemistry sometimes it acts as a catalyst that fastens the reaction between elements or compounds. Furthermore, it breaks carbon-oxygen and nitrogen-oxygen bonds. Moreover, it removes the oxygen atom from epoxides.
Aluminum Iodide Health and Safety Hazards
If consumed (by breathing or ingestion) its main target organ is the central nervous system and bone. The aluminum binds with dietary phosphorus and impairs gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorous which results in the softening of bones due to defective bone mineralization and rickets. Furthermore, aluminum high levels in the body link with Alzheimer’s disease. People allergic to aluminum can experience vomiting, digestive disorders, dermatitis or other symptoms. Inhalation of aluminum causes coughing and abnormal chest X-rays.
Solved Examples on Aluminum Iodide Formula
Question: How to prepare aluminum iodide from aluminum triiodide?
Solution: We can prepare it using the following method:
3AlI → AlI3 + 2Al
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write the formula for aluminum iodide?
The formula for Aluminum Iodide is written as AlI3. Aluminum Iodide is an Ionic compound that is formed between the reaction of aluminum and iodine
What do aluminum and iodine make?
When aluminum reacts with iodine, it forms a white solid called Aluminum Iodide. Aluminum Iodide is the result of the redox reaction between aluminum metal and iodine metal. The reaction does not proceed by itself. It needs water to act as a catalyst for the reaction to be able to proceed
What is the name of AlI3?
Aluminum iodide
What is the ionic formula of Aluminium iodide?
AlI3
Aluminum iodide, whose chemical formula is AlI3, is formed by the reaction of aluminum and iodine, which is the combining of aluminum hydroxide with hydroiodic acid. It is an inorganic Lewis acid, a special type of chemical capable of accepting an electron pair, from the binary compound group.
Why is Aluminium iodide a compound?
Aluminium iodide is any chemical compound made up of only aluminium and iodine. It is formed by the reaction of aluminium and iodine, or the action of hydrogen iodide on aluminium metal.
Does AlI3 exist?
Aluminum iodide is an ionic compound with the formula AlI3. It is used as a catalyst in certain organic reactions and as an aerosol when treating animal stalls.
Is Aluminium iodide covalent?
Aluminium Iodide is a covalent compound exhibiting polar covalent bonds. It is a highly reactive compound and is often used as a catalyst in many chemical reactions.
What is the Colour of aluminum iodide?
yellow
Aluminum Iodide is the simple compound formed when Aluminum reacts with iodine and is a white or yellow colour in nature.
Is aluminum iodide ionic?
Aluminum iodide is an ionic compound with the ratio of one aluminum ion to three iodide ions. An aluminum ion has a +3 charge, and the iodide ion has a -1 charge.
Is aluminum iodide safe?
Eye: Causes eye irritation and possible burns. Skin: Causes skin irritation and possible severe skin irritation especially if the skin is wet or moist. Ingestion: May cause irritation of the digestive tract and possible burns. Inhalation: May cause severe respiratory tract irritation and possible burns.
Who invented aluminium?
Hans Christian Oersted
While Hans Christian Oersted is acknowledged as the first to isolate aluminum in 1825 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the eminent German chemist Friedrich Wöhler is generally regarded as the first to secure a pure sample of the element by chemical reduction in 1827.
Is aluminum iodide soluble?
About Aluminum Iodide
Iodide compounds are water soluble; however, iodide-rich solutions act as better dissolution agents for creating iodide solutions.
Why is AlI3 more covalent?
The Al3+ cation has a 3+ charge which allows it to distort the Cl- ion more. This means more electrons are drawn away from the Cl-ion. This means now that there is more sharing of the electrons giving AlCl3 more covalent character.
What is iodide ion?
An iodide ion is the ion I−. Compounds with iodine in formal oxidation state −1 are called iodides. In everyday life, iodide is most commonly encountered as a component of iodized salt, which many governments mandate.
Is aluminum iodide flammable?
The reaction product, aluminum iodide reacts violently with water. If heated aluminum iodide produces flammable vapor which may explode if mixed with air and ignited as well as is corrosive to all body tissue. Avoid contact of all chemicals with eyes and skin.
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