Cerium(III) iodide explained

Cerium(III) iodide (CeI₃) is the compound formed by cerium(III) cations and iodide anions.

Preparation

Cerium metal reacts with iodine when heated to form cerium(III) iodide:^[1]

It is also formed when cerium reacts with mercury(II) iodide at high temperatures:

Structure

Cerium(III) iodide adopts the plutonium(III) bromide crystal structure. It contains 8-coordinate bicapped trigonal prismatic Ce³⁺ ions.

Uses

Cerium(III) iodide is used as a pharmaceutical intermediate^[2] and as a starting material for organocerium compounds.

References

1. Encyclopedia: Tsuneo . Imamoto . Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis . Cerium(III) Iodide . 15 April 2001 . John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.. 10.1002/047084289X.rc043 . 9780471936237 .
2. Web site: 7790-87-6 - Cerium(III) iodide, ultra dry, 99.9% (REO) - Cerium triiodide - 13641 - Alfa Aesar. alfa.com. 2017-09-19.