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Hypobromous Acid Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

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The Hypobromous Acid Formula is a formula for a weak and unstable acid with chemical and physical properties comparable to hypohalites. Furthermore, hypohalites are oxyanions with a halogen in the oxidation state +1. Hypobromous acid, on the other hand, has the potential to destroy germs and bacteria, therefore we utilize it as a disinfectant, oxidant, bleach, and deodorant all at once. 

The chemical formula for the hypobromite ion is (BrO). Furthermore, the bromine is in the oxidation state of +1. Hypobromite is a bromine compound analogous to hypochlorites, which may be found in various common bleaches as well as immunological cells. In certain aspects, hypobromite is similar to hypochlorite, and it may likewise be used as a germicide and an ant parasitic. 

Formula of Hypobromous Acid 

HBrO is the molecular formula, or chemical formula, for the chemical compound hypobromous acid. The hypobromous acid is formed when bromine combines with water,

 Br2 + H2O ⇄  HOBr + HBr

Structure of Hypobromous acid

 

Physical Properties of Hypobromous Acid 

  • Hypobromous acid is a chemical compound with a molecular weight of 96.911 g/mol.
  • Furthermore, the density of hypobromous acid (HBrO), a chemical substance, is 2.470 g/cm.
  • It has a pKa of 8.65, which indicates how acidic it is.
  • Its boiling point is between 20 to 25° Celsius. 

Chemical Properties of Hypobromous Acid 

A disproportionation reaction occurs when bromine is added to water, resulting in hypobromous acid (HBr) and hydrobromic acid (HBr),

Br2 + H2O ⇄  HOBr + HBr

Bromoperoxidases, which are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of bromide with hydrogen peroxide, produce hypobromous acid in nature : 

Br + H2O2 ⇄  HOBr + OH

Because hypobromous acid has a pKa of around 8.65, it is only partially dissociated inside the water at a pH of 7. The hypobromite salts, like the acid, are unstable and undergo a long and unpredictable disproportionation reaction to generate the corresponding bromate and bromide salts. 

3BrO − (aq) → 2Br − (aq) + BrO − 3(aq)

Uses of Hypobromous acid 

  • The HOBr is effective as a bleach, an oxidant, a deodorant, and a disinfectant because of its capacity to kill and complete the cells of many microorganisms. Furthermore, the chemical is produced by warm-blooded vertebrate organisms, particularly eosinophils.
  • The action of eosinophil peroxidase which is an enzyme that preferentially utilizes bromide produces eosinophils.
  • Bromide is also effective in hot tubs and spas because it may be used as a germicidal agent by using an oxidizing agent to form hypobromite in the same way as eosinophils utilize peroxidase.
  • It is particularly effective when combined with its congener, hypochlorous acid. 

Sample Questions 

Question 1: Why is hypobromous acid so ineffective?

Answer:   

Hypobromous acid is unstable because the bromine molecule is loosely attached and reacts fast. That is why hypobromous acid is so ineffective.

Question 2: What color does hypobromous acid have?

Answer: 

If a tank containing 3,500-4,500 ppm hypobromous acid was left unattended over the weekend, the resultant solution would surely be orange in colour on Monday morning. 

Question 3: What is the shape of HBrO?

Answer: 

With (HOBr) angles of 106.1°, the molecule HBrO2 has a bent structure. HOBrO adopts a non-planar shape as well, with one isomer structure (2a) having a dihedral angle of 74.2° (HOBrO). 

Question 4: Is HBrO or HBrO4 the strong acid?

Answer: 

The acidity of oxoacids with the same central atom increases as the number of bound oxygen to the central atom increases. Because the additional oxygen atoms pull electrons from the OH bond, the partial positive charge on OH increases. As a result, HBrO4 outperforms HBrO2 . 

Question 5: Which is the acidic one HClO or HBrO?

Answer: 

HClO is a stronger acid than HBrO because Cl is more electronegative, which dominates the size difference between Cl and Br owing to the presence of oxygen. 

Question 6: How acidic is hypobromous acid?

Answer: 

Hypobromous acid has a pKa of 8.65, which means that at pH 7, it is only partly dissociated in water. Hypobromite salts, like acids, are unstable and undergo a gradual disproportionation process to create bromate and bromide salts. 

Question 7: Is HBrO capable of forming hydrogen bonds?

Answer: 

It is because the electronegativity difference between H and Br is not great enough, it is not believed to have significant intermolecular hydrogen bonding. 


Last Updated : 20 Dec, 2023
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