Diiodoacetylene

Diiodoacetylene is the organoiodine compound with the formula C2I2. It is a white, volatile solid that dissolves in organic solvents. It is prepared by iodination of trimethylsilylacetylene. Although samples explode above 80 °C, diiodoacetylene is the most readily handled of the dihaloacetylenes. Dichloroacetylene, for example, is more volatile and more explosive. As confirmed by X-ray crystallography, diiodoacetylene is linear. It is however a shock, heat and friction sensitive compound. Like other haloalkynes, diiodoacetylene is a strong halogen bond donor.