Does Iodine exist as only I

Question

In class 12 HSC board Maharashtra book there is a reaction of oxidation of I¯ (iodine) to only I, Does Iodine exist only I , not I₂

Answer 1

The element iodine (I) does, in fact exist, but it is not stable.  That is why it forms the diatomic molecule I₂.  In many chemical reactions involving oxidation/reduction, the I^- ==> I is shown but more likely it is 2I^- ==> I₂ as the oxidation reaction.