Kimyl

Kimyl is a historical chemical term that appears in older inorganic chemistry literature to refer to a potassium iodine–oxide species, typically interpreted as a potassium hypoiodite, KIO, or closely related salts. The name shows up in early investigations into iodine chemistry and oxidation states, and it is largely found in obsolete or transitional texts. In modern nomenclature, the compound would be described as potassium hypoiodite (KIO) or discussed as an unstable iodite species.

In practice, kimyl was reported to form when iodide sources were subjected to mild oxidation in basic aqueous media. The resulting material is described as a pale yellow to colorless substance that is soluble in water but unstable, particularly under light or heat. Hypoiodite salts are known to be transient, and they can disproportionate to iodide and iodate under appropriate conditions. A commonly cited simplified disproportionation is 3 KIO → KIO3 + 2 KI, reflecting the tendency of hypoiodite to convert to iodide and iodate species.

Stability and handling conventions for kimyl reflect its sensitive nature: solutions are typically described as short-lived, with storage requiring cold, protected conditions to slow decomposition. In modern practice, the term kimyl has largely fallen out of use, and chemists refer to the constituent species more precisely as potassium hypoiodite or related potassium iodite/iodate systems. The term remains of historical interest for understanding the development of iodine chemistry and older nomenclature.

See also: iodide, hypoiodite, iodate.