Aluminum Iodide is the simple compound formed when Aluminum reacts with iodine and is a white or yellow colour in nature. Aluminum Iodide is a strong Lewis base which means it contains an empty orbital capable of accepting an electron pair from a Lewis base to form a Lewis product. It used to break the chemical bond between compounds like C-O and N-O. Aluminum Iodide is used as an additive for electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries.

Properties Of Aluminium Iodide

Chemical formula : AlI3

Molecular weight : 407.695 g/mol (anhydrous); 515.786 g/mol (hexahydrate)

Density : 3.98 g/cm³ (anhydrous); 2.63 g/cm³ (hexahydrate)

solubility : Soluble in water

Boiling Point : 382 °C (anhydrous)

Crystalline structure : Monoclinic

Uses of Aluminum Iodide

1. Chemical Synthesis: Aluminum iodide serves as a potent Lewis acid catalyst in the Friedel-Crafts type reactions and the synthesis of organic compounds. It also catalyzes the addition of alkyl iodides to aromatic compounds.

2. Material Science: It has uses in the area of material science, particularly in the preparation of certain types of aluminum alloy.

3. Research: Its unique reactions and behavior make it a topic of interest in research, contributing to studies in physical chemistry and materials science.