BCDMH

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BCDMH

IUPAC name	3-bromo-1-chloro-5,5-dimethyl imidazolidine-2,4-dione
Other names	bromochloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, BCDMH, agribrom, aquabrom, aquabrome, bromicide, di-halo, halogene T30, nylate, photobrome, slimicide 78P
Identifiers
CAS number	[126-06-7]
Properties
Molecular formula	C₅H₆BrClN₂O₂
Molar mass	241.49 g/mol
Appearance	White solid
Density	1.9 g/cm³
Melting point	158 °C - 165 °C
Solubility in water	0.25 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
Main hazards	Flamability, Inhalation
NFPA 704	1 3 1
R/S statement	S8, S17, S26, S36, S37, S39, S41, S45
Flash point	Decomposes at 160°C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

1-Bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH) is a chemical structurally related to hydantoin. 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. It used as a chemical disinfectant used for recreational water and drinking water purification. BCDMH works in the following manner:

The initial BCDMH reacts with water (R = Dimethylhydantoin):

BrClR + 2 H₂O → HOBr + HOCl + RH₂

Hypobromous acid partially dissociates in water:

HOBr → H⁺ + OBr^-

Hypobromous acid oxidizes the substrate, itself being reduced to bromide:

HOBr + Live pathogens → Br^- + Dead pathogens

The bromide ions are oxidized with the hypochlorous acid that was formed from the initial BCDMH:

Br^- + HOCl → HOBr + Cl^-

This produces more hypobromous acid. However, it should be noted that the hypochlorous acid itself does act directly as a disinfectant in the process.