Iodine monoxide

Iodine monoxide is a binary inorganic compound of iodine and oxygen with the chemical formula IO•. A free radical, this compound is the simplest of many iodine oxides. It is similar to the oxygen monofluoride, chlorine monoxide and bromine monoxide radicals.

Synthesis
Iodine monoxide can be obtained by the reaction between iodine and oxygen:


 * I2 + O2 -> 2 IO

Chemical properties
Iodine monoxide decomposes to its prime elements:
 * 2 IO -> I2 + O2

Iodine monoxide reacts with nitric oxide:
 * 2 IO + 2 NO -> I2 + 2 NO2

Atmosphere
Atmospheric iodine atoms (e.g. from iodomethane) can react with ozone to produce the iodine monoxide radical:


 * I2 + 2 O3 -> 2 IO + 2 O2

This process can contribute to ozone depletion.