Hypobromite

Hypobromites are the salts of hypobromous acid. Bromine is present in the oxidation state +1.

Hypobromites can be obtained by reacting bromine with alkalis. Molecular bromine disproportionates to bromide and hypobromite. The hypobromite salt can then be separated from the bromide salt by crystallization.

$\mathrm {Br_{2}\ +\ 2\ NaOH\longrightarrow \ NaOBr\ +\ NaBr\ +\ H_{2}O}$

In bromine water this disproportionation also takes place, which is why it reacts weakly acidic.

$\mathrm {Br_{2}\ +\ 3\ H_{2}O\longrightarrow \ Br^{-}\ +\ BrO^{-}\ +\ 2\ H_{3}O^{+}}$

Hypobromites are not stable and disproportionate to bromides and bromates, which is why they must be prepared and stored at 0 °C.

The hypobromite ion

Usage

Hypobromites are used in the chemical laboratory as a reagent in the Hofmann rearrangement. In this process, primary amines are formed from carboxylic acid amides.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is hypobromite?

A: Hypobromite is an ion with the chemical formula BrO-.

Q: What is the oxidation state of the bromine atom in hypobromite?

A: The oxidation state of the bromine atom in hypobromite is +1.

Q: Is hypobromite an oxidizing agent?

A: Yes, hypobromite is an oxidizing agent.

Q: What are hypobromites?

A: Hypobromites are the salts of hypobromous acid.

Q: What is the function of hypobromite?

A: Hypobromite is a disinfectant and is used to kill germs in pools and by white blood cells to fight infections.

Q: How is hypobromite made?

A: Hypobromite is made by dissolving bromine in a basic solution.

Q: What happens when hypobromite is heated?

A: When hypobromite is heated, it disproportionates to bromate and bromide.