Calcium iodide

Calcium iodide (CaI₂) is an ionic compound of calcium and iodine. It is highly soluble in water and it is deliquescent. It is a salt that is solid at room temperature, and it behaves as a typical ionic halide. Because of its hygroscopic nature, it must be kept in tightly-sealed containers. It is similar to calcium chloride in many respects^[3]. It is used in photography^[1].

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Reactions

Henri Moissan first isolated pure calcium metal by reducing calcium iodide with pure sodium metal^[4]:

CaI₂ + 2Na → 2NaI + Ca

Calcium iodide can be formed by reacting calcium carbonate with hydroiodic acid^[5]:

CaCO₃ + 2HI → CaI₂ + H₂O + CO₂

Calcium iodide slowly reacts with oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air, giving free iodine^[6].

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Turner, Jr., Francis M., ed., (First ed.), New York: The Chemical Catalog Company, pp. 127, . Retrieved on 12-8-07
2. ^ http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Calcium_iodide-9923259
3. ^ Mendeleyev, Dmitry Ivanovich & Kamensky, George, , New York: P. F. Collier, pp. 604, . Retrieved on 2007-12-08
4. ^ Mellor, Joseph William, , New York: Longmans, Green, and Co, pp. 334, . Retrieved on 2007-12-08
5. ^ Gooch, Frank Austin & Walker, Claude Frederic, , New York: Macmillan, pp. 340, . Retrieved on 2007-12-08
6. ^ Jones, Harry Clary, , New York: Macmillan, pp. 365, . Retrieved on 2007-12-08