Iodomethane

 

Iodomethane

Chemical formula	{{#Chem:CH3I}}
OTP appearance	colorless liquid
Molar Mass(g/mol)	141.94
Density(g/cc)	2.28
Melting Point(°C)	-66.5
Boiling Point(°C)	42.4
Solubility in water(g/L)	14
NFPA 704	1 3 1

Uses

Justification Questioned

Natural occurrence

• Does occur naturally in very small amounts as a secondary metabolite in rice

Production

Synthesis

• Combine methanol with phosphorus and iodine, with the intermediate production of phosphorus triiodide

  {{#Chem: P4 + 6I2 { CH3OH = } 4PI3}}

  {{#Chem:3 CH3OH + PI3 → 3 CH3I + H2PO3H }}

• Combine methanol with hydroiodic acid

  {{#Chem: CH3OH + HI → CH3I + H2O }}

Purification

Iodine contamination can be removed by washing with sodium thiosulfate to remove iodine followed by distillation.