Alkanes can be iodinated in the presence of

Because hydrogen iodide, a result of this reaction, is a potent reducing agent and can turn alkyl iodide back into an alkane, iodination of an alkane must occur in the presence of an oxidising agent.

In order to overcome this challenge, alkanes are iodinated in the presence of a potent oxidising agent such as iodic acid (${\mathrm{HIO}}_3$), which oxidises the hydrogen iodide produced.