Question

Write a balanced equation for the reaction of solid iodine with fluorine gas.

Answer 1

Iodine, I2, reacts with fluorine, F2, at room temperature to form the pentafluoride iodine(V) fluoride. At 250°C the same reaction forms the heptafluoride iodine(VII) fluoride. With careful control of the reaction conditions, (-45°C, suspension in CFCl3), it is posible to isolate the trifluoride iodine(III) fluoride. I2(s) + 5F2(g) → 2IF5(l) [colourless] I2(g) + 7F2(g) → 2IF7(g) [colourless] I2(s) + 3F2(g) → 2IF3(s) [yellow]