Cerium(III) iodide

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:

2 Ce 3 I₂ → 2 CeI₃

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

2 Ce 3 HgI₂ → 2 CeI₃ 3 Hg

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 and as a starting material for organocerium compounds.

References