Iodine is used in a wide variety of fields, among which are included industrial, pharmaceutical, nutritional, agricultural, electrical, and metallurgical. Iodine is produced as a nitrate ore by‐product or from brines or seaweed. As found in nature it has only one stable isotope. Several radioactive isotopes have been prepared and have found use as radiopharmaceuticals or radioactive tracers for medical imaging. Iodine is the only halogen that is solid at ambient temperatures and pressures. Having the highest atomic weight of the common halogens, iodine begins to exhibit metallic properties. Besides exhibiting properties of luster and opacity, it is classed as a semiconductor of electricity. It is an essential human nutrient. Commercially available inorganic and organic compounds are described.