Iodine monoxide

Iodine monoxide is a binary inorganic compound of iodine and oxygen with the chemical formula IO•. A free radical, this compound is the simplest of many iodine oxides. It is similar to the oxygen monofluoride, chlorine monoxide and bromine monoxide radicals.

Synthesis

Iodine monoxide can be obtained by the reaction between iodine and oxygen:

Chemical properties

Iodine monoxide decomposes to its prime elements:
Iodine monoxide reacts with nitric oxide:

Atmosphere

Atmospheric iodine atoms can react with ozone to produce the iodine monoxide radical:
This process can contribute to ozone depletion.