10 HNO₃ (aq) + I₂ (s) → 2 HIO₃ (aq) + 10 NO₂ (l) + 4 H₂O (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

I₂ is a reducing agent, HNO₃ is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

• HNO₃ – Nitric acid
  • Other names: Aqua fortis , Spirit of niter , Eau forte ... show moreHydrogen nitrate , Acidum nitricum , Nitric acid (> 70% in water) , Fuming nitric acid , Engravers acid , HONO2 , Red fuming nitric acid , RFNA , White fuming nitric acid (WFNA) show less
  • Appearance: Colorless, yellow or red fuming liquid ; Colourless-to-yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Colorless, yellow, or red, fuming liquid with an acrid, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution. Fuming nitric acid is concentrated nitric acid that contains dissolved nitrogen dioxide.]
• I₂
  • Names: Iodine , Jod , Iode ... show moreIodio , Yodo , Iodine crystals , Molecular iodine show less
  • Appearance: Bluish black or dark purple crystals with pungent odour ; Violet solid with a sharp, characteristic odor.

Products:

• HIO₃
  • Names: Iodic acid , Iodic(V) acid , [IO2(OH)] ... show moreHIO3 , HOIO2 show less
  • Appearance: White solid
• NO₂ – Nitrogen dioxide
  • Other names: Nitrogen(IV) oxide , Deutoxide of nitrogen , Nitrogen peroxide ... show moreNO2 , NO2(.) , Dinitrogen tetroxide (see notes) , Nitrogen tetroxide , Dinitrogen tetroxide show less
  • Appearance: Brown gas ; Reddish-brown gas or brown or yellow liquid with pungent odour ; Yellowish-brown liquid or reddish-brown gas (above 70°F) with a pungent, acrid odor. [Note: In solid form (below 15°F) it is found structurally as N2O4.]
• H₂O – Water, oxidane
  • Other names: Water (H2O) , Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) , Hydrogen oxide ... show moreDihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) (systematic name) , Hydrogen monoxide , Dihydrogen oxide , Hydric acid , Hydrohydroxic acid , Hydroxic acid , Hydrol , Μ-oxido dihydrogen , Κ1-hydroxyl hydrogen(0) show less
  • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas