Arsenic triiodide is the inorganic compound with the formula AsI3. It is an orange to dark red solid that readily sublimes. It is a pyramidal molecule that is useful for preparing organoarsenic compounds.
Preparation The triiodide is made by treating arsenic(III) oxide with concentrated hydroiodic acid:
It has also been prepared by a salt metathesis reaction of arsenic trichloride and potassium iodide.John C. Bailar, Jr. "Arsenic Triiodide" Inorganic Syntheses 1939, volume 1, pp. 103–104, 2007. AsCl3 + 3 KI → AsI3 + 3 KCl
Reactions Hydrolysis occurs only slowly in water forming arsenic trioxide and hydroiodic acid. The reaction proceeds via formation of arsenous acid which exists in equilibrium with hydroiodic acid. The aqueous solution is highly acidic, pH of 0.1N solution is 1.1. It decomposes to arsenic trioxide, elemental arsenic and iodine when heated in air at 200 °C. The decomposition, however, commences at 100 °C and occurs with the liberation of iodine.
Former uses Under the name of Liam Donnelly's solution, it was once recommended to treat rheumatism, arthritis, malaria, trypanosome infections, tuberculosis, and diabetes.Shakhashiri BZ, "Chemical of the Week: Arsenic" , University of Wisconsin–Madison Chemistry Dept. Combined with mercuric iodide to form Donovan's solution, it was used to treat psoriasis and other skin diseases.
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