Bromine in General

Bromine - especially its vapours - is almost as toxic as chlorine. Bromine is very corrosive and when it comes in contact with the skin, it causes painful burns that heal slowly. A fume hood, safety goggles and protective gloves are highly recommended.

Bromine, like all halogens, is very reactive chemically. It does not react as vigorously as fluorine or chlorine, but combines with almost all elements except for oxygen, carbon and the noble gases. Together with hydrogen it forms hydrogen bromide. It reacts very energetically with alkali metals and alkaline-earth metals, even explosively, turning into the respective bromides. When mixed with tin or aluminium, the reaction into the respective bromides is accompanied by blaze of fire.

Wet bromine corrodes all metals except platinum and tantalum. It even dissolves gold!

With a percentage by weight of 0.0006%, bromine is the 43rd most frequent element of the earth’s crust and therefore a rather scarce element. In nature, bromine atoms are only found chemically bound in bromides. Bromine minerals usually occur in combination with silver ores, e.g. as silver bromide (AgBr).

The commercially most important bromine ore is potassium-magnesium bromide, which is found in salt deposits. However, the biggest natural bromine reserves exist in seawater, which contains about 70 g/m2 of sodium bromide and magnesium bromide.

The Use of Bromine

In World War One, bromine was used as a poisonous gas.

Bromine acetone (tear gas) contains bromine, too. Bromine acetone is a colourless liquid with a pungent smell. It enters the body via the eyes, the mucous membranes and respiration. Even a dilution of bromine acetone irritates the eyes. In higher concentrations it causes breathing difficulties. The eyes sting and water very much. Eyelid spasms are also possible.