Iodal

Iodal, or triiodoacetaldehyde, is a halogenated derivative of acetaldehyde with the chemical formula I₃CCHO, it is analogous to chloral and bromal. It is described as a pale yellow liquid with a pungent odour by Leopold Gmelin. It is decomposed to iodoform by potash.^[1] Iodal was discovered and named in 1837.^[2]

Iodal

Names
IUPAC name triiodoethanal
Other names triiodoacetaldehyde
Identifiers
CAS Number	5703-34-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	72077
EC Number	227-192-0
PubChem CID	79783
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90205643
InChI InChI=1S/C2HI3O/c3-2(4,5)1-6/h1H Key: SNWLPURUNKWTPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES C(=O)C(I)(I)I
Properties
Chemical formula	C2HI3O
Molar mass	421.742 g·mol−1
Appearance	pale yellow liquid or solid
Solubility in water	reacts to form a soluble hydrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Iodal is synthesised from ethanol and iodine with concentrated nitric acid as the catalyst.^[1] Its hydrate was described as water-soluble, white silky crystals.^[3] Like most iodine compounds, Iodal is unstable under sunlight and gives off iodine over time.