What is "diiodomethane"

n. (context chemistry English) methylene iodide, a liquid halomethane used for the separation of minerals and for determining the specific gravity of mineral particles.

Diiodomethane or methylene iodide, commonly abbreviated "MI", is an organoiodine compound. Diiodomethane is a colorless liquid; however, it decomposes upon exposure to light liberating iodine, which colours samples brownish. It is slightly soluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents. It has a relatively high refractive index of 1.741, and a surface tension of 0.0508 N·m.