Cerium(III) iodide
# Cerium(III) iodide

Cerium(III) iodide $(CeI_3)$ is the compound formed by cerium(III) cations and iodide anions.

## Preparation

Cerium metal reacts with iodine when heated to form cerium(III) iodide:

    2 Ce + 3 $I_2$ → 2 $CeI_3$

It is also formed when cerium reacts with mercury(II) iodide at high temperatures:

    2 Ce + 3 $HgI_2$ → 2 $CeI_3$ + 3 Hg

## Structure

Cerium(III) iodide adopts the plutonium(III) bromide crystal structure. It contains 8-coordinate bicapped trigonal prismatic $Ce^{3+}$ ions.

## Uses

Cerium(III) iodide is used as a pharmaceutical intermediate and as a starting material for organocerium compounds.

