Unexpected reaction between pyridine and iodine

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Beskrivelse

The formation of a so-called Charge Transfer (CT) complex between pyridine and iodine is a classical example of 'halogen bonding' and has been the subject of numerous studies. However, when we investigated the reaction with polyethylene as a solvent, we found that the main product was not the expected pyridine-iodine CT complex. Rather, the main product turned out to be a salt, i.e., an ion pair. The salt formation was found to be strongly favoured in stretched polyethylene. The product is probably N-iodopyridinium triiodide or bis(pyridine)iodonium triiodide. The spontaneous formation of ions in a non-polar medium like polyethylene is quite unusual. The reason for the phenomenon is not yet fully understood.

Lecture at the Department of Science, Systems and Models, Roskilde University
Periode9 mar. 2012
Sted for afholdelseUkendt ekstern organisation, Danmark