What Is Povidone-iodine

Povidone iodine is a loose complex composed of elemental iodine and a polymer carrier. Povidone plays the role of carrier and dissolution aid. It is yellow-brown to brown-red amorphous powder at room temperature. Slightly odorous, easily soluble in water or ethanol, the aqueous solution is acidic, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, acetone, ethane and carbon tetrachloride. Povidone-iodine aqueous solution does not have the disadvantages of iodine tincture, has light coloring, is easy to wash off, has little irritation to mucous membranes, does not require ethanol deiodination, has no corrosive effect, and has low toxicity.
Basic Information
Chinese name: Povidone-iodine
English name: Povidone iodine
Chemical formula: (C6H9NO)n·xI
CAS number: 25655-41-8
Physical and chemical properties
Melting point: 300ºC
Flash point: 93.9ºC
Vapor pressure: 0.132mmHg at 25°C
Appearance: yellow-brown to brown-red amorphous powder
Solubility: soluble in water or ethanol, insoluble in ether or chloroform