Zirconium(IV) iodide is the chemical compound with the formula ZrI4. It is the most readily available iodide of zirconium. It is an orange-coloured solid that degrades in the presence of water. The compound was once prominent as an intermediate in the purification of zirconium metal.
Structure
Like most binary metal halides, zirconium(IV) iodide adopts a polymeric structure. As characterized by X-ray crystallography, the compound consists of octahedral Zr(IV) centers interconnected by four doubly bridging iodide ligands. The Zr-I distances of 2.692 (terminal) and 3.030 Å[2][3]
Synthesis and reactions
This compound can be prepared by heating zirconium metal and an excess of iodine. [1] The solid is purified by sublimation (400 °C, 10-4 mm Hg).[4]
^Krebs, B.; Henkel, G.; Dartmann, M. (1979). "Kristallstruktur von Zirkoniumtetrajodid ZrI4: ein neuer AB4-Strukturtyp". Acta Crystallogr. B35 (2): 274-278. doi:10.1107/S0567740879003344.
^Troyanov, S. I. (1986). "Crystal Structure of γ-ZrI4". Kristallografiya. 31: 446-449.
^ abGuthrie, Dennis H.; Corbett, John D. (1981). "Synthesis and Structure of an Infinite-Chain Form of ZrI2 (α)". Journal of Solid State Chemistry. 37 (2): 256–263. doi:10.1016/0022-4596(81)90092-X.