Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Phosphorus triiodide (PI3) is an unstable red solid which reacts violently with water. It is a common misconception that PI3 is too unstable to be stored; it is in fact commercially available. It is widely used in organic chemistry for converting alcohols to alkyl iodides. It is also a powerful reducing agent. Note that phosphorus also forms a lower iodide P2I4 but the existence of PI5 is doubtful at room temperature.
