Iodine trifluoride
# Iodine trifluoride

Iodine trifluoride is an interhalogen compound with the chemical formula $IF_3.$ It is a yellow solid which decomposes above −28 °C. It can be synthesised from the elements, but care must be taken to avoid the formation of $IF_5.$

## Reactions

$F_2$ reacts with $I_2$ to yield $IF_3$ at −45 °C in $CCl_3F.$ Alternatively, at low temperatures, the fluorination reaction $I_2$ + $3XeF_2$ → $2IF_3$ + 3Xe can be used. Not much is known about iodine trifluoride as it is so unstable.

## Structure

The iodine atom of iodine trifluoride has five electron pairs, of which two are lone-pairs, and the molecule is T-shaped as predicted by VSEPR Theory.

