alkyl iodide
Quick Summary
Alkyl iodides are a type of organohalogen compound where an alkyl group is bonded to an iodine atom. They are classified as alkyl halides, with the general formula RX, where R is an alkyl group and X is iodine (I).12
Key characteristics include:
* Polarity: The carbon-iodine bond is polar due to iodine's electronegativity, making alkyl iodides polar compounds.2
* Reactivity: The carbon-halogen bond can break, with iodine leaving as an iodide ion (I⁻). The carbon-iodine bond is the weakest among carbon-halogen bonds, making alkyl iodides generally the most reactive among alkyl halides.2
* Physical Properties: Their boiling points increase with the size of the alkyl group. They are typically denser than water and not soluble in it.2
* Synthesis: Alkyl iodides can be synthesized from alcohols by substituting the hydroxyl group with iodine using reagents like hydroiodic acid (HI).3
An example of an alkiodide is methyl iodide.4
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
