Know the Properties and Application of Hydro Bromic Acid

Touted as a strong acid, Hydro bromic acid is stronger than hydrochloric acid and has a wide application. This acid is manufactured by dissolving hydrogen bromide within water. This is also known as Acide bromhydrique, Bromwasserstoff, Hydrogenbromid, etc. to name a few. In the laboratory environment, this is prepared with sulphur dioxide (SO2), water and Br2. This is expressed as the following.

Br2+SO2+2 H2O→H2SO4+2HBr

Sometimes, electrolyte process is also use to prepare hydro bromic acid for the use in industries.

Diverse properties of Hydrobromic Acid

Hydrobromic acid exhibits diverse properties that are stated below in brief.

• It shows great variation in terms of color as it varies from being colorless to pale yellow. It smells really bad as it has a pungent smell.
• Boiling point of hydro bromic acid is 122°C and it gets melt at low temperature i.e. -11°C.
• The acid is termed as a soluble liquid and has a precise gravity of 1.5.
• The acid is found to be quite stable while remaining at room temperature. This helps in easy storage of the acid. However, it changes its color when subjected to the exposure to light or air. It eventually becomes darker in color.
• Hydro bromic acid is quite sensitive to a number of metals, gases and oxidizing agents that are quite strong in nature. It experiences a violent reaction chemically with ammonia, ozone and alkalis also.
• When subjected to heat to the verge of decomposition, the acid gives out toxic fumes.
• It has an acid dissociation constant at -9 and this makes it stronger than the popular hydrochloric acid.
• Hydrobromic acid is not compatible with metals like zinc, brass, copper, etc. It should be stored in a dry condition as it is not compatible with moisture also.
• The acid exhibits a density of 12.5 at a room temperature of 20 degree Celsius.

Application of Hydrobromic Acid

Hydro bromic acid 48% as told before enjoys a wide application. It is available in the market at a concentration of 48 and 62 percent. It is used for hydrobromination of olefins as well as for the synthesis of alkyl bromides with the aid of alcohol. Hydro bromic acid also finds usage for the synthesis of inorganic bromides.

It acts as a brilliant catalyst for the conversion of alicyclic and aliphatic hydrocarbons into diverse kinds of peroxides, ketones, and acids via the oxidation process. In industries, this acid is used in many processes like polymerization, esterification, isomerization, hydration and dehydration. Hydro bromic acid should be handled with extreme care as it can cause body burns due to its properties. Even inhaling or accidental swallowing can prove fatal for an individual’s health. It is advisable to intake large volume of water if the acid get swallowed by mistake.