Iodine is a non-metallic element and one of the halogens. It combines easily with phosphorous and hydrogen. It is essential for fetuses and infants, as it helps develop the thyroid gland. It also prevents goitres. Severe iodine deficiency can cause intellectual impairment. It is found in sea fish and oceanic plants. It is added to commercially made salt and bread.

Disinfectants are chemical agents that kill germs on non-living surfaces, whereas antiseptics kill microorganisms in living tissues and prevent the spread of infection. Tincture iodine (I) and chlorhexidine are commonly used disinfectants for medical treatment. Iodine is also found in table salt and in some types of food processing. It can also be used as an additive to water for disinfection purposes. It is also used as a sanitizer and added to milk sanitizers, teat dips and soaps. It is also used to treat goiter, a condition caused by iodine deficiency.

Iodine is an effective X-ray contrast agent in radiology. It is also used in the production of some pharmaceuticals and photographic developing solutions. Some antiseptics, such as povidone iodine and alcohol, are germicidal in nature, meaning that they can completely destroy bacteria. Other antiseptics inhibit the growth of bacteria without killing them, and are referred to as bacteriostatic antiseptics. Typically, disinfectants contain higher concentrations of biocides than c, as they are designed for use on non-living surfaces where high levels of contamination are likely to occur.

The Iodine market is a growing industry driven by its diverse applications, including healthcare, nutrition, and industrial uses. With increasing demand for iodine in various sectors, the market continues to expand, providing opportunities for producers and suppliers to meet the global iodine requirements. A Latest Study By Coherent Market Insights Says, TheGlobal Iodine Market Is Projected To Reach Around US$ 2,428.5 Million By 2030, In Terms Of Revenue, Exhibiting A CAGR Of 5.8% During The Forecast Period (2023-2030).

Iodine has the largest atomic radius of the halogens and its unique chemistry has numerous applications in analytical chemistry. Its reactivity with other ions leads to the formation of many complexes. It is also the heaviest of the halogens and is the only one that has a solid luster at room temperature.

Iodeic acid is a popular raw material for the manufacture of iodine-based stabilizers. It is used in the production of nylon fibers, such as tire and airbag cord, and a variety of thermoplastics and polymers that need to be heat stabilized.

Iodine is extracted from brines, such as Lautarite and Dietzeite, and from sodium iodate in the natural mineral caliche. It is also produced from copper iodide via the iodination process in the petrochemical industry. A typical analytical application of iodine is iodometric titration, where the concentration of an oxidizing agent in a solution is determined by measuring the disapddpearance of the deep blue starch-iodine color test.

The chemical reactions involved in using light to create an image are called photochemistry. This is one of the oldest applications for iodine, which was used in silver halide photographic film to create latent images that could be developed into visible ones. Nowadays, digital photography has replaced this traditional process.

Iodine can also function as a catalyst in reactions involving oxidation and cyclization. The oxidation of various phenols to o-quinones can be accomplished by using catalytic amounts of sodium 2-iodo-5-methylbenzenesulfonate and stoichiometric oxygen as an oxidant in acetonitrile under mild conditions. These reactions allow chiral heteroaromatic compounds to be synthesized from readily available precursors.