Isopropyl iodide explained

Isopropyl iodide is the organoiodine compound with the formula (CH3)2CHI. It is colorless, flammable, and volatile. Organic iodides are light-sensitive and take on a yellow colour upon storage, owing to the formation of iodine.

Preparation

Isopropyl iodide is prepared by iodination of isopropyl alcohol using hydrogen iodide or, equivalently, with a mixture of glycerol, iodine, and phosphorus.[1] An alternative preparation involves the reaction of 2-propyl bromide with an acetone solution of sodium iodide (Finkelstein reaction):[2]

(CH3)2CHBr + NaI → (CH3)2CHI + NaBr

Notes and References

  1. Merck Index of Chemicals and Drugs, 9th ed., monograph 5074
  2. Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, 5th Edition, Prentice Hall, 1989