Potassium bromide
| Formula | BrK |
| Chemical formula | KBr |
| Density | 2.75 g/cm3 (20°C) |
| Molar mass | 119.01 g/mol |
| Bulk density | ~ 900 -1000 kg/m3 |
| CAS number | 03/02/7758 |
| HS Code | 28275100 |
| EC number | 231- 830-3 |
| Storage | Without limitation |
| SDS | available |
| RTECS | TS7650000 |
| Odour | oderless |
| Form | solid |
| Color | colorless to white |
| p H | 5.5 – 8.5 (50g/l 20°C) |
| Solubility in water | 650 g/l (20°C) |
| Solubility in ethanol | 4 g/l (20°C) |
| Boiling point | 1435 °C |
| Melting point | 730 °C |
| Assay | 98.0 – 100.5 | % | |
| Description | Conforms | ||
| Identification | Conforms | ||
| Acidity & alkalinity | ≤ | 0.5 | ml |
| Loss on drying | ≤ | 1 | % |
| Bromate | Conforms | ||
| Limit of chloride | ≤ | 0.6 | % |
| Iodides | Conforms | ||
| Sulfates | ≤ | 0.01 | % |
| Limit of iron | ≤ | 20 | ppm |
| Magnesium & alkaline | ≤ | 0.02 | % |
| earth metals | ≤ | 10 | ppm |
Potassium bromide is a white crystalline inorganic salt widely used in photography, spectroscopy, and historically in medicine for its sedative and anticonvulsant properties.
🏭⚗️ Production
It is typically prepared by reacting potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide with hydrobromic acid or a bromide salt, followed by crystallization and purification to yield pure potassium bromide crystals.
🔬 Properties
The chemical formula is KBr with a molar mass of approximately 119.00 g/mol. It appears as white, odorless crystals that are highly soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol and glycerol, and insoluble in many organic solvents. It is thermally stable, with a melting point around 734 °C and a high boiling point, decomposing at elevated temperatures.
🧪 Applications
Potassium bromide is used in infrared spectroscopy for pellet preparation due to its transparency in the IR region, in photography as a restrainer in developing solutions, in veterinary medicine as an anticonvulsant, and in laboratories as a reliable source of bromide ions in chemical syntheses.
⚠️ Safety
This compound is generally safe in controlled amounts but may cause irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract upon exposure. Prolonged or high-dose use can lead to neurological effects known as bromism. Standard safety measures such as gloves, goggles, and proper ventilation are recommended during handling, and it should be stored in a cool, dry place away from reactive substances.
