Arsenic triiodide is the inorganic compound with the formula AsI₃. It is a dark red solid that readily sublimes. It is a pyramidal molecule that is useful for preparing organoarsenic compounds.

Preparation

It is prepared by a reaction of arsenic trichloride and potassium iodide:^[1]

AsCl₃ + 3KI AsI₃ + 3 KCl

Reactions

Hydrolysis occurs only slowly in water forming arsenic trioxide and hydroiodic acid. The reaction proceeds via formation of arsenous acid which exists in equilibrium with hydroiodic acid. The aqueous solution is highly acidic, pH of 0.1N solution is 1.1. It decomposes to arsenic trioxide, elemental arsenic and iodine when heated in air at 200 C. The decomposition, however, commences at 100 C and occurs with the liberation of iodine.

Former uses

Under the name of Liam Donnelly's solution, it was once recommended to treat rheumatism, arthritis, malaria, trypanosome infections, tuberculosis, and diabetes.^[2]

References

1. ↑ John C. Bailar, Jr. "Arsenic Triiodide" Inorganic Syntheses 1939, volume 1, pp. 103 104, 2007.
2. ↑