| Group | 17 | Melting point | 113.7 oC, 236.66 oF, 386.85 K |
| Period | 5 | Boiling point | 184.4 oC, 363.92 oF, 457.55 K |
| Block | p | Density (kg m-3) | 4953 |
| Atomic number | 53 | Relative atomic mass | 126.904 |
| State at room temperature | Solid | Key isotopes | 127I |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d105s25p5 | CAS number | 7553-56-2 |
| ChemSpider ID | 4514549 | ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database | |
Image explanation
The image of seaweed here reflects the presence of the element in many species of the seawater plant.
Appearance
Black, shiny crystals, iodine dissolves in alcohol; the result was sold as an antiseptic solution. Iodine salts (iodides) are used in dyes and photography, as industrial catalysts and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. Iodine is also an essential element for humans, who require a daily intake of iodine (as iodide) of about a tenth of a milligramme. Our bodies contain up to 20 milligrammes, mainly in the thyroid gland. Normally we get enough from the food we eat, but people eating food grown in areas where the soil lacks iodides can develop a swollen thyroid known as goitre.
Uses
Iodine has many commercial uses including pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, printing inks and dyes, catalysts and animal feeds. Iodide in small amounts is added to table salt in order to avoid thyroid disease.
Biological role
Iodine is an essential element, lack of which causes problems with the thyroid gland. The artificial radioisotope, 131I, with a half-life of 8 days, is used in treating cancerous thyroid glands. A solution of potassium iodide and iodine, or of iodine in ethanol, has germicidal effects and was used for the external treatment of wounds. If iodine is in contact with the skin it can cause lesions, and iodine vapour is extremely irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes.
Natural abundance
Iodine (as iodide) occurs sparingly (0.05 parts per million) in sea-water. From this source it is assimilated by seaweeds. It is also found in brines from deposits left by the evaporation of old seas, and in brackish waters from oil and salt wells. Iodine is obtained commercially by extracting iodine vapour from processed brine, by ion exchange of brine or by liberating iodine from iodate obtained from nitrate ores.
| Atomic radius, non-bonded (Å) | 1.980 | Covalent radius (Å) | 1.36 |
| Electron affinity (kJ mol-1) | 295.149 |
Electronegativity (Pauling scale) |
2.660 |
|
Ionisation energies (kJ mol-1) |
1st
1008.393
2nd
1845.888
3rd
3184.013
4th
-
5th
-
6th
-
7th
-
8th
-
|
||
| Covalent bonds |
|
|
|
| Common oxidation states | 7, 5, 1, -1 | ||||
| Isotopes | Isotope | Atomic mass | Natural abundance (%) | Half life | Mode of decay |
| 127I | 126.904 | 100 | - | - | |
|
Molar heat capacity (J mol-1 K-1) |
54.43 | Young's modulus (GPa) | Unknown | |||||||||||
| Shear modulus (GPa) | Unknown | Bulk modulus (GPa) | 7.7 | |||||||||||
| Vapour pressure | ||||||||||||||
| Temperature (K) |
|
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| Pressure (Pa) |
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Images: Visual Elements © Murray Robertson 2011
Mining and Sourcing data: British Geological Survey – natural environment research council.
Text: John Emsley Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.
Data: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 92nd Edition, 2011.
G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants, Longman, 16th Edition, 1995.
Members of the RSC can access these books through our library.
Mining and Sourcing data: British Geological Survey – natural environment research council.
Text: John Emsley Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.
Data: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 92nd Edition, 2011.
G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants, Longman, 16th Edition, 1995.
Members of the RSC can access these books through our library.
