Sodium bromide

Sodium bromide
IUPAC name	Sodium bromide
Identifiers
CAS number	[7647-15-6], 13466-08-5 (dihydrate)
PubChem	253881
RTECS number	VZ3150000
Properties
Molecular formula	NaBr
Molar mass	102.894 g/mol
Appearance	White powder
Density	3.21 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 2.18 g/cm3 (dihydrate)
Melting point	747 °C (anhydrous) 36 °C (dihydrate)
Boiling point	1396 °C
Solubility in water	73.3 g/100 mL (20 °C) 116.0 g/100 mL (50 °C)
Solubility in methanol	16.7 g/100mL
Refractive index (nD)	1.6459
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU Index	Not listed
Flash point	800 °C
LD50	3500 mg/kg
Related compounds
Other anions	Sodium fluoride Sodium chloride Sodium iodide
Other cations	Lithium bromide Potassium bromide Rubidium bromide Caesium bromide
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references

Sodium bromide, also known as sedoneural^[1] is a salt with the formula NaBr, widely used as an anticonvulsant and a sedative in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its action is due to the bromide ion (potassium bromide is equally effective).^[2] It is a high-melting white, crystalline solid that resembles sodium chloride. It is a widely used source of the bromide ion.

Principal chemical reactions

NaBr is used in organic synthesis as a source of the bromide nucleophile to convert alkyl chlorides to more reactive alkyl bromides by the Finkelstein reaction.

NaBr + RCl → RBr + NaCl

Sodium bromide can be used as a source of the chemical element bromine. This can be accomplished by bubbling chlorine gas through an aqueous solution of NaBr. As a source of HBr, NaBr is treated with a strong, non-volatile acid:

NaBr + H₃PO₄ → HBr + NaH₂PO₄

HBr can also be oxidized to Br₂ using MnO₂ or concentrated H₂SO₄.

Other applications

• as a hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and sedative in medicine. As a source of the bromide ion, which is pharmacologically active, it is equivalent to potassium bromide (see this article for more complete discussion of this topic).
• in photography
• to establish a bromide ion reserve in a bromine spa (hot tub) antimicrobial treatment regimen.

Safety

NaBr is harmful if swallowed or inhaled in large amounts, affecting the central nervous system, brain, and eyes (see potassium bromide). The chemical compound causes irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system.

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007)

1. ^ Sodium Bromide
2. ^ Bromide

External links

• Information about NaBr.
• Bromide Poisoning in Angola