Use
Iodine trichloride decomposes on heating at 77C, forming iodine monochloride and chlorine:
ICl3 ICl + Cl2
It dissolves in concentrated hydrochloric acid , forming HICl44H2O:
ICl3 + HCl + 4H2O HICl44H2O
Iodine trichloride hydrolyzes in water or dilute acids, the products depending upon reaction conditions. This reaction usually is similar to iodine monochloride:
4ICl3 + 6H2O I2 + 6HCl + 2HIO3 + 3Cl2
It combines with potassium chloride, forming a complex salt, KICl4:
ICl3 + KCl KICl4
Reaction with acetylene produces chlorovinyl iododichloride, containing two active chlorine atoms attached to the iodine atom:
ICl3 + HCCH ClCH=CHICl2
The above product has many applications in chemical synthesis.