Question

Iodoform is obtained by the reaction of acetone with hypoiodite not with iodine.why?

Answer 1

1 Acetone undergoes oxidation to acetate ion during the formation of iodoform. The Hypoiodite stronger oxidizing agent so it can convert acetone into iodoform whereas iodide ion is a reducing agent so it cannot act as oxidizing agent.
2 Hypoiodite is an oxidising agent whereas iodine is a reducing agent. Intead of hypoiodite iodine in presence of an alkali can be used, anyway they react to form hypoiodite