Explanation of Iodine Equilibrium in immiscible solvents

[kirsten_2009]

Homework Statement

I'm studying the equilibrium of I₂ and its distribution in two immiscible liquids (varsol and aqueous potassium iodide). Since I₂ is non polar; it will "prefer" to be in varsol but since KI (aq) is an ionic salt solution, iodine will also dissolve to give the I3- ion. When iodine is present in varsol = pink color and when in KI = yellow.

I think I understand what happens but I'm a little confused as to what would be observed in the following situations, any clarification would be really appreciated.

Scenario 1: 2 mL iodine/potassium iodide (aq) + 2 mL of varsol..."shake"...then add saturated solution of I₂/KI ...what would be observed? What is happening on a molecular level?

Scenario 2: 2 mL iodine/potassium iodide (aq) + 2 mL of varsol..."shake"...then add saturated KI...same questions.

Homework Equations

I₂ (aq) + I^- <---> I₃^- (aq)

I₂ (aq) <---> I₂ (varsol)

The Attempt at a Solution

So this is my understanding of the situation, please correct me if I'm wrong. Iodine will be present in both organic and aqueous layer because its soluble in both. When Iodine is in varsol it's in the form of I- ions = pink color. When iodine is present in the aqueous KI solution its in the form of I3- ions = yellow color. So initial solutions should appear with pink varsol layer on top and yellow aqueous layer at bottom.

Scenario 1: When saturated solution of I₂/KI is added I would think that nothing (no change) is observed and that the layers continue to be pink on top and yellow at bottom because more iodine is being added but also more KI so the iodine will just redistribute itself in the two layers until it's reached equilibrium. Iodine can just have more I3- since it has more solvent now to do so in (equilibrium would shift right).

Scenario 2: When saturated KI solution is added I would think that the pink layer would become lighter and the yellow layer more yellow since there is more KI for iodine to dissolve in and so more I3- ions would be formed (equilibrium would shift right).

 

[Bystander]

Iodine is in varsol it's in the form of I- ions I₂ molecules = pink color.

Other than that little correction (you've got it that way elsewhere) I'd say you've understood the problem.

 

[kirsten_2009]

Great, thank-you! And as a follow up to all this and as a conclusion...in the I₂ (aq) + I^- (aq) <----> I₃- (aq) equation if any of the reagent's concentration was changed...this would affect the iodine distribution between the two liquids, correct? But, let's say I₃- was increased would that mean that the aqueous layer would be greater or more yellow because there are more I₃- in the aqueous layer or would it means that because I₃- was increased the reaction would shift to the left and more I₂ and I^- would be formed in the varsol layer thus making the varsol layer greater and more pink?

 

[Bystander]

would that mean

or would it

"Yes." Both processes are going to affect the "partition" of iodine between the phases, hence, the study of "partition coefficients."