Thorium diiodide is an iodide of thorium, with the chemical formula of ThI2. It is an electride with the ionic formula Th4+(I−)2e−2. It is air-sensitive.
Preparation
Thorium diiodide cn be prepared by heating thorium tetraiodide in stoichiometric amounts of thorium:
It can also be prepared by directly reacting thorium and iodine:
Thorium diiodide can also be prepared from the decomposition of thorium triiodide at temperatures above 550 °C:
Properties
Like the diiodides of cerium, praseodymium and gadolinium, it has a metallic gold lustre and high electrical conductivity.
References