Hydrogen Iodide - Applications

Applications

HI is mainly used in the production of acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol. Two technologies use this reagent, the Monsanto and the Cativa processes. In these processes, HI converts methanol to methyl iodide, which is converted to acetyl iodide, which hydrolyzes to acetic acid:

CH₃OH + HI → CH₃I + H₂O

CH₃I + CO → CH₃C(O)I

CH₃C(O)I + H₂O → CH₃CO₂H

HI is also used to prepare ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, an important component of animal feeds.