Molar mass 187.818 g/mol Boiling point 64.5 °C Appearance colorless liquid | Formula COBr2 Density 2.52 g/cm³ | |
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Carbonyl bromide, also known as bromophosgene by analogy to phosgene, is an organic chemical compound. It is a decomposition product of halon compounds used in fire extinguishers.
Reactions
Carbonyl bromide is formed when carbon tetrabromide is melted and concentrated sulfuric acid is added.
In contrast to phosgene, carbonyl bromide cannot be produced efficiently from carbon monoxide and bromine. A complete conversion is not possible due to thermodynamic reasons. Additionally, the reaction
CO + Br2 ⇌ COBr2processes slowly at room temperature. Increasing temperature, in order to increase the reaction rate, results in a further shift of the chemical equilibrium towards the educts (since ΔRH < 0 and ΔRS < 0).
On the other hand, carbonyl bromide slowly decomposes to carbon monoxide and elemental bromine even at low temperatures. It is also sensitive to hydrolysis.