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A chemical reaction between sodium metal and iodine produces sodium iodide, also called chaotropic salt. Its chemical formula is referred to as NaI (Na being the sodium whereas I being the Iodine). Sodium iodide is made by combining an acid with a base, and it releases no byproducts. There are many uses of Sodium Iodide (NaI). Iodine insufficiency is treated or prevented using sodium iodide, which is caused by insufficient diet or poor absorption by the body. Thyroid disorders can also be treated with sodium iodide. It is one of the ancient components of the optical engineering family and is regarded as a standard optical device in the domain of detecting technology by many professionals.
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Structure and Formula of NaI – Sodium Iodide
Sodium iodide has the chemical formula NaI and a molecular mass of 149.89 g/mol. It's a simple ionic compound made up of sodium cation (Na+) and iodide anion (I-), as indicated in the chemical composition shown below. The solid NaI has an octahedral crystal structure comparable to sodium chloride (NaCl).
Chemical Properties of NaI- Sodium Iodide
- Sodium is sensitive to moisture, air, light and when exposed to air or light, solid NaI becomes brown owing to the generation of iodine vapors.
- It also produces iodine when it combines strongly with strong acids, strong oxidants, and bromine trihalides.
- When sodium iodide interacts with sulphuric acid, hydrogen iodide and sodium bisulfite are formed. The chemical formula is shown below.
NaI + H2SO4= HI + NaHSO4
- Sodium iodide can dissolve in a variety of natural solvents, including water.
- NaIO3 present in the sodium nitrate mixture can be reduced to sodium iodide by heating it with the help of charcoal.
2NAIO3 + 3C = 2NAI + 3CO2
- Sodium iodide is readily soluble in alcohol and its aqueous solution is almost neutral towards litmus or feebly basic.
- NaI is used to precipitate insoluble iodides.
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- Sodium iodide interacts with chlorine to generate sodium chloride and iodine, with chlorine replacing iodine. The chemical formula is shown below:
Cl2 + 2NaI = 2 NaCl + I2
Physical Properties of NaI – Sodium Iodide
| Chemical Formula | NaI |
| No. of Atoms | 2 |
| Melting Point | 661°C |
| Boiling Point | 1304°C |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol and acetone. |
| Molecular weight | 149.8942 g/mol |
| Appearance | White or colorless solid |
| Charge of Na | +1 |
Preparation of NaI – Sodium Iodide
Sodium iodide is prepared industrially by reacting sodium hydroxide with iodine or hydroiodic acid. It is also made by treating sodium carbonate with a solution of hydroiodic acid.
NaOH +HI = NaI + H2O
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Uses of NaI – Sodium Iodide
- Iodine deficiency is treated and prevented using this supplement. NaI is commonly used as a dietary iodine supplement and in the preparation of pure NaC1 (table salt) (NaCl).
- It's a diagnostic acid for researching thyroid gland functioning.
- Sodium iodide is also utilized in thyroid scans to determine tumor size, position, and probable location.
- It's also used medically to remove tissue in cases of hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, and heart problems.
- In cattle, sodium iodide is used to treat actinobacillosis and actinomycosis.
- Sodium iodide is also used as a reagent in chemical reactions to produce various alkyl iodides for various applications.
- NaI is also used to treat Grave’s disease. (toxic diffuse goiter)
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Storage & Packaging
The solution must be produced in single-dose or multiple-dose containers that have been treated to avoid absorption. To avoid radionuclide absorption on the container's wall, including laboratory vessels. It is advised that containers used to carry sodium iodide be rinsed first with a solution containing approximately 0.8 percent sodium bisulfate and 0.25 percent sodium iodide, followed by H2O until the last rinsing is litmus neutral.
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Things to Remember
- Commonly, sodium Iodide is used to treat iodine deficiency in humans.
- In approved quantities, sodium iodide is not poisonous and is used as a dietary supplement. Large amounts, on the other hand, can produce iodism, a disease characterized by headache, fever, excessive salivation, bronchitis, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
- Inhaling sodium iodide dust might irritate the throat and mucous membranes.
- Because of its sensitivity to air and light, solid NaI quickly releases iodine vapors, which are both noxious and corrosive.
- It should be stored and packed as per the given guidelines to avoid absorption.
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Sample Questions
Que. Is it possible to substitute sodium iodide for sodium iodate in the production of hematoxylin stains?
Ans. No, because the iodate is an oxidizing agent, you can't use an iodide instead.
Que. What is the largest sodium iodide detector that is currently operational?
Ans. The sodium iodide (thallium doped) crystal detector is a form of inorganic scintillator detector that has long been used to qualitatively identify and quantitatively quantify various gamma-ray lines, particularly in the low energy range. The size of this detector is important in many applications, especially where maximal or total gamma-ray energy deposition is sought.
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Que. Is sodium iodide a long-lasting substance?
Ans. Iodides are oxidized to molecular iodine (I2), which is a form of oxygen (O2) found in the environment. In contrast to the white sodium iodide, the I2 and I- complexes produce a yellow triiodide molecule.
Que. Discuss the solubility of sodium iodide in water.
Ans. In water, sodium iodide is very soluble. The solubility of this chemical in water at 0 degrees Celsius is 1587 grams per liter. Its solubility in fluid increases to 1842 grams per liter at room temperature. Finally, sodium iodide has a solubility of 3020 grams per liter in water at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius.
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Que. What are the major side effects of Sodium Iodide?
Ans. Sodium Iodide side effects include fever, hives, joint pain, breathing issues, swelling or redness on the skin, muscle weakness, bone pain, headache, and puffy eyelids.
Que. Explain how sulphuric acid oxidizes sodium iodide and what its general features are?
Ans. Sulphuric acid in concentrated form is insufficient as an oxidizing agent to oxidize fluoride or chloride particles. All you get is the heated gas of the hydrogen halide - hydrogen fluoride or hydrogen chloride - in those circumstances. Iodide particles have a higher reducing agent content than bromine particles. The concentrated sulphuric acid converts them to iodine. It is generally used as a nutritive supplement. As a result, the sulphuric acid level drops. The reaction of sodium hydroxide with iodine or hydroiodic acid produces sodium iodide. Sodium carbonate and any hydroiodic acid can also be used to make the NaI compound.
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