Iodyl fluoride
# Iodyl fluoride

Iodyl fluoride is an inorganic compound of iodine, fluorine, and oxygen with the chemical formula $IO_2F.$ The compound was initially synthesized in 1951.

## Synthesis

* Iodyl fluoride can be decomposed by iodosyl trifluoride heated to 110 °C in nitrogen. Since this reaction is reversible, the reaction requires constant removal of iodine pentafluoride.

       $2IOF_3$ ⇌ $IO_2F$ + $IF_5$
* Dissolving the anhydride of iodic acid, $I_2O_5,$ in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid.

       $I_2O_5$ + HF → $IO_2F$ + $HIO_3$

## Physical properties

Iodyl fluoride forms colorless crystals of orthorhombic system. Reacts with water.

## Chemical properties

Iodyl fluoride is stable in dry air, but slowly hydrolyzes to iodic and hydrofluoric acids in moisture.

       $IO_2F$ + $H_2O$ → $HIO_3$ + HF

The compound reacts with strong fluorinating agents such as bromine trifluoride and selenium tetrafluoride to form iodine pentafluoride. Iodyl fluoride can be reduced to elemental iodine by pure hydrogen peroxide.

       $3IO_2F$ + $4BrF_3$ → $3IF_5$ + $2Br_2$ + $3O_2$
       $IO_2F$ + $2SeF_4$ → $IF_5$ + $2SeOF_2$
