Molybdenum(III) iodide


Molybdenum iodide is the inorganic compound with the formula MoI3.

Preparation

Molybdenum iodide is created by the reaction of molybdenum hexacarbonyl with iodine gas at.
It can also be made from molybdenum(V) chloride and a solution of hydrogen iodide in carbon disulfide.
A further method is direct reaction between molybdenum metal and excess iodine at.
As molybdenum iodide is the highest stable iodide of molybdenum, this is the preferred route.

Properties

Molybdenum iodide is a black antiferromagnetic solid that is air-stable at room temperature. In vacuum, it decomposes above 100 °C to molybdenum(II) iodide and iodine. It is insoluble in polar and non-polar solvents. Its crystal structure is isotypic with zirconium iodide.