Thorium diiodide explained

Thorium diiodide is an iodide of thorium, with the chemical formula of ThI2. It is an electride with the ionic formula Th4+(I-)2e-2. It is air-sensitive.

Preparation

Thorium diiodide cn be prepared by heating thorium tetraiodide in stoichiometric amounts of thorium:

It can also be prepared by directly reacting thorium and iodine:[1]

Thorium diiodide can also be prepared from the decomposition of thorium triiodide at temperatures above 550 °C:

Properties

Like the diiodides of cerium, praseodymium and gadolinium, it has a metallic gold lustre and high electrical conductivity.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Handbuch der präparativen anorganischen Chemie. 1 . 1975 . Enke . 978-3-432-02328-1 . 3., umgearb. Aufl . Stuttgart.