iodering

Iodering is the act of introducing iodine into a substrate, resulting in iodinated products or iodine-containing materials. The term is used in various fields to describe iodine-loading processes, but it is not a formal IUPAC designation. In many contexts, iodering is used interchangeably with iodination, though some uses emphasize the site or method of iodine incorporation.

In organic synthesis, iodering covers methods that attach iodine to organic substrates, such as electrophilic iodination of activated arenes or alkenes and related approaches that install an iodine substituent using reagents like elemental iodine or N-iodosuccinimide. These steps are often pursued to enable further transformations, for example cross-coupling reactions that proceed from the aryl or vinyl iodine functional group.

In radiochemistry and nuclear medicine, iodering refers to the incorporation of radioactive iodine isotopes, such as I-125 or I-131, into biomolecules for imaging, diagnostic tracing, or radiotherapy. This application requires careful control of radiochemical yield, specific activity, and retention of biological function.

In materials science and polymer chemistry, iodering can denote iodine doping of polymers, coatings, or semiconductor materials to modify properties such as conductivity, refractive index, or optical absorption. Iodinated polymers may also serve as precursors for further chemical modification or as radiolabels in tracking studies.

Safety and quality considerations are important across all uses, given iodine’s potential toxicity and the reactivity of iodinating agents. Verification typically relies on spectroscopic methods, elemental analysis, and, where relevant, radiochemical assays.

See also: iodination, electrophilic substitution, radiolabeling, iodine doping.