Polonium tetraiodide explained

Polonium tetraiodide is a binary inorganic compound of polonium and iodine with the chemical formula .^{[1] [2]} The compound forms volatile black crystals.

Synthesis

1. Action of iodine vapor on polonium metal:

Po + 2I2 -> PoI4

2. Dissolution of polonium dioxide in hydroiodic acid:^[3]

PoO2 + 4HI -> PoI4 + 2H2O

Properties

Physical properties

The compound forms black crystals that are insoluble in water.

Chemical properties

The compound reacts with hydroiodic acid to form hexaiodopolonic acid:

PoI4 + 2HI -> H2[PoI6]

It can be reduced by hydrogen sulfide to yield polonium metal.^[4] It decomposes on heating.

Notes and References

1. Book: Brown . Susan A. . Brown . Paul L. . The Aqueous Chemistry of Polonium and the Practical Application of its Thermochemistry . 25 September 2019 . . 978-0-12-819309-9 . 24 . 2 November 2021 . en.
2. Book: M.. Schmidt. W.. Siebert. K.W.. Bagnall. The Chemistry of Sulphur, Selenium, Tellurium and Polonium: Pergamon Texts in Inorganic Chemistry. Elsevier. 2013. 961–962. 978-1483158655.
3. Book: M. Schmidt, W. Siebert, K. W. Bagnall. The Chemistry of Sulphur, Selenium, Tellurium and Polonium: Pergamon Texts in Inorganic Chemistry. Elsevier. 2013. 961–962. 978-1483158655.
4. K. W. Bagnall, R. W. M. D'Eye, J. H. Freeman. 657. The polonium halides. Part III. Polonium tetraiodide. Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed). J. Chem. Soc.. 1956. 3385–3389. 10.1039/JR9560003385.