Isolation and spectral characteristics of Ferric Iodide

Ferric iodide is isolated pure for the first time as a dark purple solid when a hexane solution of diiodotetracarbonyliron(II) and diiodine is exposed to actinic radiation. Its identity is confirmed by elemental analysis and quantitative conversion to the known tetraiodoferrate(III) by treatment with tetra-n-butylammonium iodide. Although persistent in the solid state, ferric iodide is readily decomposed in solution to ferrous iodide and 0.5 mol diiodine quantitatively.