Interaction | Reaction | Process     Data Page

In the lab, the addition of conc. sulfuric acid to sodium bromide gives orange or brown fumes of bromine.

However, the hydrogen bromide formed is further oxidised by sulfuric acid to bromine. The sulfuric acid is reduced to SO2.

The stoichiometry of the above reaction assumes that half the HBr formed is oxidised to bromine.

4
NaBr
  +  
3
H2SO4
         
2
HBr
  +  
2
Na2SO4
  +  
Br2
  +  
SO2
  +  
2
H2O
Reactant Page Go To Go To
Sodium bromide     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Sulfuric acid     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Hydrogen bromide     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Sodium sulfate     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Bromine     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Sulfur dioxide     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Water     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming

Interaction, Reaction, Process defined as:
British A-Level Chemistry: A2
British A-Level Chemistry: AS
Oxidation: Of Substrate By Reagent
Proton transfer: Brønsted reaction
Redox
Sodium Halides + conc. H2SO4

© Mark R. Leach 1999 –

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