What is "iodic acid"

Iodic \I*od"ic\, a. [Cf. F. iodique. See Iodine.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, iodine; specif., denoting those compounds in which it has a relatively high valence; as, iodic acid.

Iodic acid, a monobasic acid ( HIO3), consisting of iodine with three parts of oxygen and one of hydrogen.

n. (context inorganic compound English) The oxyacid of iodine HIO₃

n. a soluble crystalline acid; used as a reagent and disinfectant

Iodic acid, HIO, can be obtained as a white or off-white solid. It dissolves in water very well, but it also exists in the pure state, as opposed to chloric acid or bromic acid. Iodic acid contains iodine in the oxidation state +5 and it is one of the most stable oxo-acids of the halogens in its pure state. When iodic acid is carefully heated, it dehydrates to iodine pentoxide. On subsequent heating, the iodine pentoxide further decomposes, giving a mix of iodine, oxygen and lower oxides of iodine.