Research news on iodine

Iodine is a halogen element (atomic number 53) central to numerous scientific topics spanning chemistry, biology, and environmental science. In biochemistry, it is an essential micronutrient required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, with tightly regulated absorption, organification, and storage mechanisms. In analytical and physical chemistry, iodine participates in redox reactions (I₂/I⁻ couple), complex formation (e.g., triiodide I₃⁻), and halogen bonding, serving as a model system for studying intermolecular interactions and reaction kinetics. Environmental and geochemical research examines iodine speciation, cycling between inorganic and organic forms, and its role in atmospheric chemistry, including ozone-related processes.