Hypoiodous acid

 ( Hypoiodites ) 

Hypoiodous acid is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It forms when an aqueous solution of iodine is treated with mercuric or silver salts. It rapidly decomposes by disproportionation:

Hypoiodous acid is a weak acid with a p K_a of about 11. The conjugate base is hypoiodite (). Salts of this anion can be prepared by treating iodine with . They rapidly disproportionate to form and , but an iodine–hydroxide mixture can be used an in situ preparation of hypoiodite for other reactions.

Ammonium hypoiodites can be formed by oxidation of the analogous iodide salts. These and also sodium hypoiodite are useful as for a various types of and also for a reaction analogous to the haloform reaction.

Hypoiodite is one of the active oxidizing agents generated by lactoperoxidase as part of the mammalian innate immune system.

---

Other oxyacids Hypoiodous acid is part of a series of in which iodine can assume of −1, +1, +3, +5, or +7. A number of neutral are also known.

Post Comment