Bismuth(III) iodide

Bismuth(III) iodide
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Template:Longitem	BiI3
Molar mass	589.69Script error: No such module "String".g/mol
Appearance	Greenish-black crystals
Density	5.778Script error: No such module "String".g/cm3
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Template:Longitem	7.71Template:E
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Template:Longitem	Trigonal, hR24
Template:Longitem	R-3, No. 148
Template:Longitem	Bismuth(III) fluoride; Bismuth(III) chloride; Bismuth(III) bromide
Template:Longitem	Nitrogen triiodide; Phosphorus triiodide; Antimony triiodide

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Bismuth(III) iodide is the inorganic compound with the formula Bi I₃. This gray-black salt is the product of the reaction of bismuth and iodine, which once was of interest in qualitative inorganic analysis.^[2]^[3]

Bismuth(III) iodide adopts a distinctive crystal structure, with iodide centres occupying a hexagonally closest-packed lattice, and bismuth centres occupying either none or two-thirds of the octahedral holes (alternating by layer), therefore it is said to occupy one third of the total octahedral holes.^[4]^[5]

Synthesis

Bismuth(III) iodide forms upon heating an intimate mixture of iodine and bismuth powder:^[6]^[7]

2Bi + 3I₂ → 2BiI₃

BiI₃ can also be made by the reaction of bismuth oxide with aqueous hydroiodic acid:^[8]

Bi₂O₃(s) + 6HI(aq) → 2BiI₃(s) + 3H₂O(l)

Reactions

Since bismuth(III) iodide is insoluble in water, an aqueous solution can be tested for the presence of Bi³⁺ ions by adding a source of iodide such as potassium iodide. A black precipitate of bismuth(III) iodide indicates a positive test.^[9]

Bismuth(III) iodide forms iodobismuth(III) anions when heated with halide donors:^[10]

2 NaI + BiI₃ → Na₂[BiI₅]

Bismuth(III) iodide catalyzes the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. Bi(III) is also used in a Barbier type allylation of carbonyl compounds in combination with a reducing agent such as zinc or magnesium.