Potassium Iodide

Potassium Iodide is an ionic compound that usually occurs in form a white crystals, and is one of the most widely used chemicals that has a vast set of applications in diverse industrial sectors as well as medicine and health care. It is commercially manufactured by Potassium Hydroxide with Iodine in presence of a suitable catalyst, which leads to a simple displacement reaction where the Hydroxyl group is replaced by Iodine ions, leading to formation of the final product. It is readily available as an industrial chemical and also as a well known medication and over the counter medicine throughout the world.

Features:

1) It is used in diagnosis as well as treatment of a wide range of disorders related to the Thyroid glands such as Hyperthyroidism, as Iodine plays a vital role in regulating the aforesaid gland's metabolism.
2) It can also be used as a food supplement, and has proven to be particularly beneficial for those who have low Iodine intake in their diet.
3) By making it to react with Silver Nitrate, it is used to make Silver Iodide (AgI), which is a very important chemical compound widely used in photography.
4) The most important role of this compound is in Sand Meyer Reaction, where it is used in organic synthesis of Aryl Iodides.