Calcium iodide is an ionic compound chemically represented by the formula CaI2 and the molar mass of 293.88 g/mol. Let us explore the importance of Calcium iodide (BCl3).
The uses of Calcium iodide:
- Synthetic Applications
- Commercial Applications
Hereon, let us draw some light on various chemical and physical properties of calcium iodide in detail.
Synthetic Applications
- CaI2 is used as a catalyst in the synthesis of trisubstituted cyclic carbonates from bio derived epoxides and carbon dioxide.
- β-ketoesters are also converted into tartronic esters and hydroxymalonic esters catalyzing by CaI2 on irradiation with visible light.
- Oxocarboxylic esters undergo photooxidative oxylactonization on catalysis with CaI2.
- Aromatic carbonyl groups in addition to Me3SiCN gives cyanohydrin derivatives in the presence of CaI2.
- Epoxides can be converted to environment friendly cyclic carbonates using the catalytic activity of CaI2.
- Efficient and green protection to amino ester hydrolysis is also provided using CaI2 as catalyst.
Industrial Applications
- CaI2 is a deliquescent salt with high water solubility.
- Being a rich source of iodine, CaI2 is commercially available as cat food.
- Though CaI2 is not stable in normal conditions and thus reacts with carbon dioxide to form carbonates liberating iodine as a gas.
- CaI2 is used in photography though the purpose is unknown.
Conclusion
Calcium iodide is a colorless ionic chemical with similar properties to calcium chloride. Its wide application as of green catalyst serves as an important reagent in organic synthesis and catalysis reactions. The compound is soluble in acetone and ethanol. It has a rhombohedral structure and octahedral coordination geometry.
Hi…..This is Avneesh Rawat, I have done my Ph.D. in Chemistry from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. Currently, I am working as Project Associate in CSIR, CIMAP, Pantnagar. I am specializing in handling sophisticated GC/MS, GC, HPLC, FTIR instrumentation.