Question

How would you convert iodoform to acetylene?

What happens when iodoform is heated with silver powder?

Answer 1

When iodoform (CHI₃) is heated with silver powder, it undergoes a reduction reaction, producing ethyne (acetylene, C₂H₂).

\[\ce{\underset{iodoform}{2CHI3} + 6Ag ->[Heat][]\underset{(acetylene)}{\underset{ethyne}{H - C ≡ C - H}} + 6AgI}\]