BCDMH
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| BCDMH | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| General | |
| Systematic name | 1-Bromo-3-Chloro-5,5-Dimethylhydantoin |
| Other names | bromochloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, BCDMH, agribrom, aquabrom, aquabrome, bromicide, di-halo, halogene T30, nylate, photobrome, slimicide 78P |
| Molecular formula | C5H6BrClN2O2 |
| Molar mass | 241.49 g/mol |
| Appearance | White solid |
| CAS number | [126-06-7] |
| Properties | |
| Density | ? |
| Solubility in water | 0.25 g/100 ml (25 °C) |
| Melting point | 158 °C - 165 °C |
| Boiling point | n/a |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | External MSDS |
| Main hazards | Flamability, Inhalation |
| NFPA 704 |
1
3
1
|
| Flash point | Decomposes at 160°C |
| R/S statement | S8, S17, S26, S36, S37, S39, S41, S45 |
BCDMH is a chemical disinfectant used for recreational water and drinking water purification. It is a white crystalline compound with a slight bromine and acetone odor and is insoluble in water, but soluble in acetone. BCDMH is an excellent source of both chlorine and bromine as it reacts slowly with water releasing hypochlorous acid and hypobromous acid. Chemically, BCDMH works in the following manner:
The initial BCDMH reacts with water (R = Dimethylhydantoin):
| BrClR | + | 2 H2O | → | HOBr | + | HOCl | + | RH2 |
| BCDMH | Water | Hypobromous acid | Hypochlorous acid | Dimethylhydantoin |
Hypobromous acid partially dissociates in water:
| HOBr | → | H+ | + | OBr- |
| Hypobromous acid | Hydrogen ion | Hypobromite ion |
Hypobromous acid produces bromide ions when disinfecting:
| HOBr | + | Live pathogens | → | Br- | + | Dead pathogens | |
| Hypobromous Acid | Bromide Ion |
The bromide ions react with the hypochlorous acid that was formed from the initial BCDMH:
| Br- | + | HOCl | → | HOBr | + | Cl- |
| Bromide ion | Hypochlorous acid | Hypobromous acid | Chloride ion |
This produces more hypobromous acid. However, it should be noted that the hypochlorous acid itself does play in a direct role in the disinfectant process.
