Cobalt(II) iodide crystallizes in two polymorphs, the α- and β-forms. The α-polymorph consists of black hexagonal crystals, which turn dark green when exposed to air. Under a vacuum at 500 °C, samples of α-CoI2 sublime, yielding the β-polymorph as a yellow crystals. β-CoI2 also readily absorbs moisture from the air, converting into green hydrate. At 400 °C, β-CoI2 reverts to the α-form.[2]
Structures
The anhydrous salts adopt the cadmium halide structures.
The hexaaquo salt consists of separated [Co(H2O)6]2+ and iodide ions as verified crystallographically.[3][4]
Reactions and applications
Anhydrous cobalt(II) iodide is sometimes used to test for the presence of water in various solvents.[5]
^ abcO. Glemser "Cobalt, Nickel" in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. Edited by G. Brauer, Academic Press, 1963, NY. Vol. 1. p. 1518.
^“Structure Cristalline et Expansion Thermique de L’Iodure de Nickel Hexahydrate“ (Crystal structure and thermal expansion of nickel(II) iodide hexahydrate) Louër, Michele; Grandjean, Daniel; Weigel, Dominique Journal of Solid State Chemistry (1973), 7(2), 222-8. doi:10.1016/0022-4596(73)90157-6
^"The crystal structure of the crystalline hydrates of transition metal salts. The structure of CoI2·6H2O" Shchukarev, S. A.; Stroganov, E. V.; Andreev, S. N.; Purvinskii, O. F. Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii 1963, vol. 4, pp. 63-6.<!no doi in CAS-->