Explosion of Aluminium Iodide

Abstract

I HAD two samples of aluminium iodide in two hermetically sealed glass tubes sent by a German firm. One of them was passing round the class, and the other was lying on the demonstration table. Suddenly a report was heard, and I found that he tube on the table had exploded, and its contents had been thrown out. Both the tubes were perfectly sound, and therefore there seems to be no reason to suspect that the volatile compound found an explosive mixture with the air. The temperature of the lecture room was at the time nearly 95° F. I communicate this matter to you to find out if others have had similar experience with aluminium iodide.