Bromous acid

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IUPACName = hydroxy-γ³-bromanone
hydroxidooxidobromine
bromous acid
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Formula = HBrO₂
MolarMass = 112.911 g/mol
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OtherAnions = Hydrobromic acid; hypobromous acid; bromic acid; perbromic acid

Bromous acid with the formula HBrO₂ has a Br³⁺ oxidiation state. The salts of bromous acid are called bromite. In free form, the acid is not stable and can actually only be found as intermediate in the oxidation of hypobromous acid.

Chemistry

Bromous acid can be produced by classical chemical or electrochemicals method via anodic oxidation.

:HBrO + HClO → HBrO₂ + HCl

Also disproportioning of hypobromous acid will give bromous acid and hydrobromic acid.

:2 HBrO → HBrO₂ + HBr

Lastly, a synproportion reaction of bromic acid and hydrobromic acid gives bromous acid.

:2 HBrO₃ + HBr → 3 HBrO₂

Compounds

Several bromites are stable and have been isolated. For example NaBrO₂· 3H₂O and Ba(BrO₂)₂·H₂O.

Use

Bromites can be used for the reduction of permanganates to manganates.

:2MnO₄^- + BrO₂^- + OH^- → 2MnO₄^2- + BrO₃^- + H₂O