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.
Read more about this topic: Hydrogen Iodide