Iodine trifluoride is an interhalogen compound with the chemical formula IF3. It is a yellow solid which decomposes above −28 °C. It can be synthesised from the elements, but care must be taken to avoid the formation of IF5.

Iodine trifluoride
Structural formula
Iodine trifluoride molecule
Names
IUPAC name
Iodine trifluoride
Other names
iodine(III) fluoride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/F3I/c1-4(2)3 checkY
    Key: VJUJMLSNVYZCDT-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/F3I/c1-4(2)3
    Key: VJUJMLSNVYZCDT-UHFFFAOYAM
  • FI(F)F
Properties
IF3
Molar mass 183.9 g/mol
Appearance yellow solid
Melting point decomposes above −28 °C
Related compounds
Other anions
iodine trichloride
Other cations
bromine trifluoride
Related compounds
chlorine trifluoride
iodine pentafluoride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Reactions

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F2 reacts with I2 to yield IF3 at −45 °C in CCl3F. Alternatively, at low temperatures, the fluorination reaction I2 + 3XeF2 → 2IF3 + 3Xe can be used. Not much is known about iodine trifluoride as it is so unstable.

Structure

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The iodine atom of iodine trifluoride has five electron pairs, of which two are lone-pairs, and the molecule is T-shaped as predicted by VSEPR Theory.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.