Tantalum(V) iodide is the

inorganic compound In chemistry, an inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds, that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as '' inorganic chemist ...

with the formula Ta₂I₁₀. Its name comes from the compound's

empirical formula In chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical compound is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in a compound. A simple example of this concept is that the empirical formula of sulfur monoxide, or SO, would simply be SO, as is th ...

, TaI₅. It is a diamagnetic, black solid that hydrolyses readily. The compound adopts an edge-shared bioctahedral structure, which means that two TaI₅ units are joined by a pair of iodide bridges. There is no bond between the Ta centres.

Niobium(V) chloride Niobium(V) chloride, also known as niobium pentachloride, is a yellow crystalline solid. It hydrolyzes in air, and samples are often contaminated with small amounts of NbOCl3. It is often used as a precursor to other compounds of niobium. NbCl ...

niobium(V) bromide Niobium(V) bromide is the inorganic compound with the formula Nb2Br10. Its name comes from the compound's empirical formula, NbBr5. It is a diamagnetic, orange solid that hydrolyses readily. The compound adopts an edge-shared bioctahedral struc ...

niobium(V) iodide Niobium(V) iodide is the inorganic compound with the formula Nb2I10. Its name comes from the compound's empirical formula, NbI5. It is a diamagnetic, yellow solid that hydrolyses readily. The compound adopts an edge-shared bioctahedral structur ...

tantalum(V) chloride Tantalum(V) chloride, also known as tantalum pentachloride, is an inorganic compound with the formula TaCl5. It takes the form of a white powder and is commonly used as a starting material in tantalum chemistry. It readily hydrolyzes to form tanta ...

, and

tantalum(V) bromide Tantalum(V) bromide is the inorganic compound with the formula Ta2Br10. Its name comes from the compound's empirical formula, TaBr5. It is a diamagnetic, orange solid that hydrolyses readily. The compound adopts an edge-shared bioctahedral stru ...

all share this structural motif.

Synthesis and structure

Tantalum pentaiodide forms from the reaction of

tantalum pentoxide Tantalum pentoxide, also known as tantalum(V) oxide, is the inorganic compound with the formula . It is a white solid that is insoluble in all solvents but is attacked by strong bases and hydrofluoric acid. is an inert material with a high refract ...

with

aluminium triiodide Aluminium iodide is a chemical compound containing aluminium and iodine. Invariably, the name refers to a compound of the composition , formed by the reaction of aluminium and iodine or the action of on metal. The hexahydrate is obtained f ...

: :3 Ta₂O₅ + 10 AlI₃ → 6 TaI₅ + 5 Al₂O₃

References

{{Iodides Iodides Tantalum compounds Metal halides