Chemical Properties
stable only in solution, produced by the hydrolysis of bromine chloride; used as a bactericide and a disinfectant [HAW93]
Uses
Hypobromous Acid is uesd to preparation of bromohydrins by addition to alkenes; brominating reagent and oxidant.
Definition
ChEBI: Hypobromous acid is a bromine oxoacid. It is a conjugate acid of a hypobromite.
Preparation
Preparative Methods of Hypobromous Acid: traditional preparative methods are the addition of Bromine to aqueous
mixtures of mercury or silver salts to precipitate the bromide ion formed as a byproduct. Newer
methods employ a source of positive bromine such as N-Bromosuccinimide, N-Bromoacetamide, or 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (dibromantin) to generate the equivalent to HOBr in aqueous
solution.
Solubility in organics
Hypobromous Acid (HOBr) soluble in H2O, H2O-DMSO, H2O-acetone, H2O-dioxane, H2O-DME.
storage
Hypobromous Acid is stable only in solution; usually prepared in situ immediately before use. It is a strong oxidant; use in a fume hood.
