7 Diiodomethane Uses: Facts You Should Know!

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Diiodomethane, also known as methylene iodide, is an organoiodine compound. Let us now take a look at the uses of Diiodomethane.

Methylene iodide, commonly abbreviated as MI, has the molecular formula CH2I2. This is a colourless liquid. But on exposure to light, it decomposes down and liberates brownish-colored iodine. It has a molecular mass of 267.83 gm/mol. It is used in many areas, some of which are listed below:

  • Organic synthesis
  • Density determination
  • Industrial uses

Here, we will discuss the various facts and uses of Diiodomethane in details.

Organic synthesis

  • CH2I2 is used as a reagent in many reactions, which generates methylene (carbine) free radical.
  • In the Simmons-Smith reaction, CH2I2 is used to produce Zn- CH2I intermediate along with Zinc metal.
  • CH2I2 reacts with olefins to produce cyclopropanes having high stereospecificity.

Density determination

  • CH2I2 has a very high density; because of this, it is used in the determination of the density of solid samples and minerals.
  • CH2I2 is mixed with benzene to produce liquids having different densities that are used for the determination of refractive indices of minerals. These liquids can also be used for the separation of minerals on the basis of their densities.

Industrial uses

  • CH2I2 is also used as an optical contact liquid, along with the gemological refractometer, for the determination of refractive indexes of certain gemstones.
  • CH2I2 is also used in the manufacture of x-ray contrast media.

Conclusion:

Diiodomethane is the organoiodine compound that is used majorly in various organic syntheses, determination of refractive indices, evaluation of pyridine and much more.