Flame retardant, molluscicide, and chemical intermediate.
Light brown powder. Insoluble in water.
Pentabromophenol reacts as a weak acid. Incompatible with strong reducing substances such as hydrides, nitrides, alkali metals, and sulfides. Flammable gas (H2) is often generated, and the heat of the reaction may ignite the gas. Heat may be generated by the acid-base reaction with bases.
Poison by intraperitoneal route. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Br-. See also BROMIDES.
Purify it by crystallisation pKEst (charcoal) from toluene then from CCl4. Dry it for 2 weeks at ca 75o. The diethylammonium salt has m 191-193o (from MeOH). [Beilstein 6 H 206, 6 I 108, 6 II 197, 6 III 766, 6 IV 1069.]
