Substance profile
Bromine
Bromine is a dark reddish-brown, volatile, mobile diatomic liquid; vaporizes at room temperature with a suffocating odor.
01 · Identification
What Bromine is
Bromine is a dark reddish-brown, volatile, mobile diatomic liquid; vaporizes at room temperature with a suffocating odor. Its molecular formula is Br2 and its molecular weight is 159.81 g/mol. It boils at 58.8 °C, melts at -7.2 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P271, P273, P280, P301, P304, P310, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Bromine properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 58.8 °C (137.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 59.44 °C (139 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 59.56 °C (139.2 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -7.2 °C (19 °F) | HSDB | |
| -7.22 °C (19 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 3.12 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 3.1023 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Water solubility: 35.8 g/L at 20 °C; 41.7 g/L at 0 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| Solubility in water (25 °C): 0.2141 mol/L with formation of 0.00115 mol/L of HOBr | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 33.6 g/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 172 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 172 mmHg | at 20.6 °C | CAMEO | |
| 212 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Fire and Explosion Hazards: Strong oxidizer. Heat of reaction may ignite combustibles on contact. May accelerate combustion reactions. | HSDB | |
| Noncombustible Liquid, but accelerates the burning of combustibles. | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor density | 5.5 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| 5.51 (air = 1) | OSHA | ||
| 5.51 (air = 1) | at 15 °C | CAMEO | |
| Odor threshold | ODOR THRESHOLDS OF 0.05-3.5 PPM HAVE BEEN REPORTED. | HSDB | |
| Odor low 0.329 mg/cu m; Odor high 24.5 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Air odor threshold: 0.051 ppm (v/v); water odor threshold: 0.0063 ppm (w/v) | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 315 °C (599 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive material | HSDB | |
| Vapor is highly corrosive to many materials and human tissue | HSDB | ||
| Attacks most metals, including platinum and palladium; dry bromine does not attack lead, nickel, magnesium, tantalum, iron, zinc or (below 300 °C) sodium | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Bromine
Storage conditions
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Do not store in polyethylene containers. Handle and open container with care.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
During bromination of acetone to bromoacetone, presence of a large excess of bromine must be avoided to prevent sudden and violent reaction.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
BROMINE SOLUTION is an oxidizing agent. Bromine disproportionates rapidly in basic water to give bromide ion and bromate ion. The latter is also an oxidizing agent. Dissolution lowers reactivity compared to pure bromine. Reacts with reducing reagents. Reacts with hydrogen, diethylzinc, dimethylformamide, ammonia, trimethylamine, nitromethane, metal azides (silver or sodium azide). Can react with Mg, Sr, B, Al, Hg, Ti, Sn, Sb in powder or sheet form, to form bromides. Can react with methanol, ethanol, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, diethyl ether, carbonyl compounds, tetrahydrofuran, acrylonitrile, ozone, phosphorus, natural rubber. Reactions with red phosphorus, metal azides, nitromethane, silane and its homologues may be vigorous.[Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 109].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Bromine in the storage compatibility matrix →