Arsenic triiodide is the inorganic compound with the formula As I₃. It is an orange to dark red solid that readily sublimes. It is a pyramidal molecule that is useful for preparing

organoarsenic compound Organoarsenic chemistry is the chemistry of compounds containing a chemical bond between arsenic and carbon. A few organoarsenic compounds, also called "organoarsenicals," are produced industrially with uses as insecticides, herbicides, and fu ...

Preparation

It is prepared by a reaction of arsenic trichloride and

potassium iodide Potassium iodide is a chemical compound, medication, and dietary supplement. It is a medication used for treating hyperthyroidism, in radiation emergencies, and for protecting the thyroid gland when certain types of radiopharmaceuticals are u ...

:John C. Bailar, Jr. "Arsenic Triiodide" Inorganic Syntheses 1939, volume 1, pp. 103–104, 2007. :AsCl₃ + 3KI → AsI₃ + 3 KCl

Reactions

Hydrolysis Hydrolysis (; ) is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. The term is used broadly for substitution, elimination, and solvation reactions in which water is the nucleophile. Biological hydrolys ...

occurs only slowly in water forming

arsenic trioxide Arsenic trioxide, sold under the brand name Trisenox among others, is an inorganic compound and medication. As an industrial chemical, whose major uses include in the manufacture of wood preservatives, pesticides, and glass. As a medication, it ...

and

hydroiodic acid Hydroiodic acid (or hydriodic acid) is an aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide (HI). It is a strong acid, one that is ionized completely in an aqueous solution. It is colorless. Concentrated solutions are usually 48% to 57% HI. Reactions Hy ...

. The reaction proceeds via formation of arsenous acid which exists in equilibrium with hydroiodic acid. The aqueous solution is highly acidic, pH of 0.1N solution is 1.1. It decomposes to arsenic trioxide, elemental arsenic and iodine when heated in air at 200 °C. The decomposition, however, commences at 100 °C and occurs with the liberation of iodine.

Former uses

Under the name of Liam Donnelly's solution, it was once recommended to treat rheumatism, arthritis,

malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...

, trypanosome infections,

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, i ...

, and

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ...

.Shakhashiri BZ
"Chemical of the Week: Arsenic"
, University of Wisconsin–Madison Chemistry Dept.

References

Arsenic(III) compounds Arsenic halides Iodides {{Inorganic-compound-stub