Cerium(III) iodide

Cerium iodide is the compound formed by cerium cations and iodide anions.

Preparation

Cerium metal reacts with iodine when heated to form cerium iodide:
It is also formed when cerium reacts with mercury(II) iodide at high temperatures:

Structure

Cerium iodide adopts the plutonium(III) bromide crystal structure. It contains 8-coordinate bicapped trigonal prismatic Ce³⁺ ions.

Uses

Cerium iodide is used as a pharmaceutical intermediate and as a starting material for organocerium compounds.