Hypobromous acid
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Hypobromous acid is a weak, unstable acid with chemical formula HBrO. It occurs only in solution and has chemical and physical properties that are very similar to those of hypochlorous acid.
In aqueous solution, hypobromous acid partially decomposes into the hypobromite anion BrO− and the proton H+. The salts of hypobromous acid are also called hypobromites. Like the acid, these salts are unstable and when evaporated or boiled to dryness, they undergo a disproportionation reaction, yielding the respective bromate and bromide salts.
When pure bromine is added to water, it forms hypobromous acid and hydrobromic acid (HBr):
- Br2(l) + H2O(l) → HOBr(aq) + HBr (aq)
HOBr is used as a bleach, an oxidizer, a deodorant, and a disinfectant, due to its ability to kill the cells of many pathogens. It is especially effective when used in combination with its coneger, hypochlorous acid.
