tetraiodide

Tetraiodide is a term that is not a standard, well-defined chemical species on its own. In practice, it is used as a generic or informal name for any compound or ion that contains four iodine atoms in a single unit. Because iodine forms a variety of polyiodide species, the exact identity of a “tetraiodide” depends on context, and modern literature typically specifies the actual species, such as I4^2− or a neutral I4 cluster, to avoid ambiguity.

One common interpretation is the tetraiodide dianion, I4^2−, encountered in certain polyiodide salts. In these solutions or crystalline salts, four iodine atoms are arranged in a small unit that carries a 2− charge, stabilized by surrounding cations. The precise geometry can vary with the counterion and solvent, and I4^2− is less common than other polyiodide ions like I3−, I5−, or I7−.

A second possible usage refers to a neutral I4 molecule or cluster, which can occur as a minor component in solid iodine phases or in matrices where iodine atoms couple beyond the diatomic I2. Such neutral tetraiodide species are less extensively characterized and are typically discussed within the broader study of iodine clusters and polyiodide chemistry.

In any case, when encountering the term tetraiodide, it is important to check the source for the exact meaning, as the nomenclature is ambiguous without a defined chemical formula or context. See also iodide, polyiodide, and related species for more precise terminology.