Hydrogen Bromide (Br)

Hydrogen Bromide (Br), a colorless, corrosive, irritating, toxic gas shipped as a liquid in cylinders under its own vapor pressure.

This gas results from the direct reaction of high-purity hydrogen with elemental bromine and the carefully controlled reaction of sulfuric acid on specific brominated metals.

Hydrogen Bromide traditionally has been used for fumigation in agriculture. More discreet amounts are used as a catalyst in pharmaceuticals. There was a time when it was also frequently used to synthesize HALON compounds used in fire-suppression systems. The reason for this is, the HALON compounds that result are high-density inert gases that can eliminate ground-level oxygen to extinguish a fire in a confined space with minimum damage to property. HBr more recently has found use as a stratospheric ozone depleter and, that being the case, its use as a fumigant has been limited to situations in which total recovery is possible. HALON fire-suppression systems must rely on existing chemical inventories as more environmentally preferred alternatives are introduced.

Higher purities of Hydrogen Bromide are used by the electronics industry in some unique plasma etching processes.

For further details about PurityPlus^® Hydrogen Bromide and its availability, call PurityPlus^® Specialty Gases by Weldstar at 708-627-1007 or contact us online.