General Characteristics of Iodoform

The organic iodine substance iodoform (also known as triiodomethane and, incorrectly, carbon triiodide) has the formula \[CHI_{3}\]. It is a pale yellow, crystalline, volatile chemical with a deep and characteristic odour (the scent is frequently referred to as that of hospitals, where the compound is still commonly employed) and a sweetish taste, similar to chloroform. It's sometimes used as a disinfectant.

Applications of Iodoform

The chemical is used as a disinfectant on a modest basis. It was employed in medicine as a healing and antiseptic treatment for wounds and sores around the turn of the twentieth century, but superior antiseptics have since supplanted it. Along with zinc oxide and propionic acid, it is the active ingredient in many ear powders for dogs and cats, which intend to prevent infection as it makes hair removal easier.

Background of Iodoform

Iodoform is a tetrahedral molecular geometry organoidine molecule with the formula \[CHI_{3}\]. It's a yellow solid that's generally insoluble in water and chemically reactive in free-radical processes. Minimal quantities of iodoform may be found in disinfectants due to its antibacterial effects upon topical treatment, and it is mostly utilized for veterinary purposes. Due to its radiopacity, iodoform has also been detected in dental paste and root canal filling materials in combination with other intracanal drugs. Iodoform has been used as a healing and antiseptic dressing or powder for wounds and sores since the turn of the twentieth century, although the clinical application has been limited to this point. When it is in touch with secretions or endodontic infections, iodoform is soluble in fatty acids and decomposes, releasing iodine in its initial stage.

Preparation and Properties of Iodoform

Iodoform can be manufactured using the electrolysis of an aqueous solution that contains inorganic iodides, carbonate'>sodium carbonate, and acetone. Iodoform is also referred to as carbon tri-iodide, methyl tri-iodide, and tri-iodomethane. These names are such due to the presence of 3 iodine molecules in the compound. This dressing wound chemical causes a burning sensation when applied to open wounds. Moreover, this compound's molecular weight is given as 393.73 g/mol and a melting point of 121°C. This is a highly pure substance with a purity percentage of 98%, where this value is much higher than most of the other substances. The key features of this compound are given as high purity, effectiveness, balanced composition. It is a very skin-friendly chemical because it does not cause any irritation or itching except that it causes a burning sensation on the open wounds.

Synthesis and Reactions

The synthesis of iodoform compound was first described in 1822 by Georges-Simon Serullas, by the reactions of iodine vapour with the steam over red-hot coals, including the reaction of potassium with the ethanolic iodine compound in the presence of water; and independently by John Thomas Cooper, as well. It can be synthesized using the haloform reaction with sodium hydroxide and iodine reaction with any of these 4 kinds of organic compounds:

• acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO)

• a methyl ketone (CH₃COR)

• certain secondary alcohols (CH₃CHROH, R is either an aryl or alkyl group)

• ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH)

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The iodine and base reaction with the combination of methyl ketones is more reliable compared to the iodoform test (which is in yellow precipitate appearance) can be used to probe a methyl ketone presence. This also falls under the case when testing particular secondary alcohols containing at least one methyl group in the alpha position.

A few of the reagents (for example, hydrogen iodide) converts the iodoform to diiodomethane. Besides, converting into carbon dioxide makes it possible when Iodoform reacts with aqueous silver-nitrate'>silver nitrate to form carbon monoxide. When treated with the powdered elemental silver, the iodoform gets reduced, forming acetylene. Moreover, the iodoform compound decomposes to form hydrogen iodide gas, diatomic iodine, and carbon upon heating.

Uses of Iodoform

On a small scale, iodoform can be used as a disinfectant. It was also used as a component in the 20th century in medicines for healing and antiseptic dressing of sores and wounds. It was used for sterilizing the instruments that are used for surgery. There exist many side effects associated with iodoform, and hence its use has now been suppressed with the evolution and adaption of new antiseptics. It is said as an active ingredient for making dog and cat powders along with propanoic acid and zinc oxide, which are used to prevent infection. It can also be used to facilitate the removal of ear hair.

Acetone vs. Methanol

Let us distinguish between the elements Methanol and Acetone in brief.

Acetone produces crystals with NaI (sodium iodide): Add NaI solution, Boil until dissolution, then cool it to -5°C. If we get orange crystals, it is identified as acetone. Also, we need to check the book by Armarego and Perrin on laboratory chemicals purification for the proportions. This is one of the methods to result in water-free acetone.

It is also possible that a few metal salts will provide us with differently coloured complexes, such as cobalt bromide (CoBr₂), blue in acetone, and pink in methanol. There is also the fact that ethanol and CoBr₂ results in a pink solution, so we can expect methanol to be the same, but it might not be the same case. Probably, CoCl₂ can be used as well. It is better to use the dry salts (blue for CoCl₂, green for CoBr₂), but it might work with the hydrated salts (pink - in both cases).

Iodoform Test for Ketones

Iodoform test is the one that is used to detect ketones and aldehydes that have an alpha-methyl group. Alpha means that it is attached to the carbon, including the functional group. The reagents used here are given as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and iodine.

The compounds that result in a positive iodoform test are Ethanal (Acetaldehyde), Alpha Methyl groups, and Methyl ketones.

Ethanal is given as the only aldehyde that produces a positive iodoform test. Therefore, aldehyde and ketone with structure -COCH₃ also exhibit positive results.