Metallic iodates have been explored in nonlinear optics, such as NaI 3 O 8 , where the formation of the I 3 O - 8 ion was found to originate from the condensation of three iodate anions. Studies on hydration mechanisms surrounding HIO 3 found that HI 3 O 8 can form in a multistep dehydration process from iodic acid.