Calcium bromide is a chemical compound with the formula CaBr2. It is a white, odorless, and soluble solid that is used in various industries as a source of bromide ions.
| IUPAC name | Calcium Bromide |
| Molecular formula | CaBr2 |
| CAS Number | 7789-41-5 |
| Synonyms | Calcium dibromide; Bromocalcium |
| InChI | InChI=1S/Ca.2BrH/h;2*1H/q+2;;/p-2 |
Calcium Bromide Properties
Calcium Bromide Formula
The chemical formula for calcium bromide is CaBr2. This formula indicates that one calcium ion is bonded to two bromide ions through ionic bonds. The formula for a compound represents the types and numbers of atoms present in a molecule or formula unit of the compound.
Calcium Bromide Molar Mass
The molar mass of CaBr2 is 199.89 g/mol. This value is calculated by adding the atomic masses of one calcium atom (40.08 g/mol) and two bromine atoms (79.90 g/mol each). The molar mass is a crucial property of any chemical compound as it determines the amount of substance present in one mole of the compound.
Calcium Bromide Boiling Point
The boiling point of CaBr2 is 1,193 °C (2,179 °F). CaBr2 has a high boiling point due to its ionic nature. Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic forces between their positively and negatively charged ions. These forces require a lot of energy to break, resulting in a high boiling point.
Calcium Bromide Melting Point
The melting point of CaBr2 is 730 °C (1,346 °F). The melting point of a compound is the temperature at which it transitions from a solid to a liquid state. CaBr2 has a relatively high melting point due to its ionic nature. The strong electrostatic forces between its ions require a lot of energy to overcome, resulting in a high melting point.
Calcium Bromide Density g/mL
The density of CaBr2 is 3.353 g/mL. Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume. The high density of CaBr2 is due to its ionic nature and the closely packed arrangement of its ions.
Calcium Bromide Molecular Weight
The molecular weight of CaBr2 is 199.89 g/mol. This value is calculated by adding the atomic masses of one calcium atom and two bromine atoms. The molecular weight is an essential property of any chemical compound as it determines the amount of substance present in one molecule of the compound.
Calcium Bromide Structure
CaBr2 has a crystal lattice structure consisting of Ca2+ and Br− ions. The Ca2+ ions are surrounded by six Br− ions, and each Br− ion is surrounded by six Ca2+ ions. This arrangement of ions results in a strong ionic bond between them.
| Appearance | White solid |
| Specific Gravity | 3.353 g/mL |
| Color | Colorless |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Molar Mass | 199.89 g/mol |
| Density | 3.353 g/mL |
| Melting Point | 730 °C (1,346 °F) |
| Boiling Point | 1,193 °C (2,179 °F) |
| Flash Point | Not applicable |
| Water Solubility | Highly soluble |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, acetone, and ether |
| Vapor Pressure | Not available |
| Vapor Density | Not available |
| pKa | Not applicable |
| pH | 7 (neutral) |
Calcium Bromide Safety and Hazards
CaBr2 is generally considered safe when handled properly. However, it can pose certain health hazards if it is not handled or used appropriately. Inhaling or ingesting CaBr2 can irritate the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, respectively. Prolonged skin contact with CaBr2 can cause irritation and dermatitis. CaBr2 can also react violently with strong oxidizing agents, releasing toxic gases. Proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles, should be worn when handling CaBr2. It should also be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.
| Hazard Symbols | None |
| Safety Description | Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. May cause respiratory irritation. |
| UN IDs | UN3261 |
| HS Code | 28275900 |
| Hazard Class | 8 (corrosive) |
| Packing Group | III |
| Toxicity | Low to moderate toxicity. |
Calcium Bromide Synthesis Methods
There are different methods for synthesizing CaBr2, but the most common one involves the reaction between calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide and hydrobromic acid. This process produces CaBr2 and water as the only byproduct. The reaction takes place in a controlled environment with constant stirring and heating to ensure complete conversion of the reactants.
Another method involves the reaction between calcium oxide and hydrobromic acid. This process also produces CaBr2 and water as the byproduct. The reaction is similar to the first method and requires constant stirring and heating.
A third method involves the reaction between calcium and bromine. The high reactivity of bromine and the need for careful handling make this method less commonly used. The reaction produces CaBr2 as the only product.
All these methods require careful handling and safety precautions, as they involve hazardous chemicals and potentially dangerous reactions. The synthesized CaBr2 should be purified before use to remove any impurities and ensure its purity. The purity of the final product determines its quality and effectiveness for the intended application.
Calcium Bromide Uses
CaBr2 finds various applications in different industries due to its unique chemical properties. Some of the common uses of CaBr2 are:
- Oil and Gas Industry: Used in the oil and gas industry as a completion fluid to control wellbore pressures during drilling and completion operations.
- Medicine: Used in medicine as a sedative and anticonvulsant drug to treat epilepsy and other nervous system disorders.
- Photography: Used in photography as a sensitizer for preparing silver bromide emulsions.
- Chemical Synthesis: Used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, including esterification, alkylation, and condensation.
- Fire Retardant: Used as a fire retardant in plastics, textiles, and other materials to reduce the risk of fire.
- Food Industry: Used as a food preservative to prevent microbial growth and spoilage.
- Refrigeration: Used as a refrigerant in absorption refrigeration systems.
- Water Treatment: Used in water treatment to prevent algae and bacterial growth in swimming pools and other water systems.
Questions:
Q: Which formula represents the compound calcium bromide?
A: The chemical formula for calcium bromide is CaBr2.
Q: Is calcium bromide soluble in water?
A: Yes, CaBr2 is soluble in water. It has a high solubility in water, with a solubility of approximately 121 g/100 mL at 20°C.
Q: Is calcium bromide aqueous?
A: CaBr2 can exist in the aqueous state when it is dissolved in water, forming an aqueous solution.
Q: Is calcium bromide soluble?
A: Yes, CaBr2 is soluble in a variety of solvents, including water, ethanol, and acetone.
Q: What precipitate forms when aqueous solutions of calcium bromide and potassium phosphate are mixed?
A: When aqueous solutions of CaBr2 and potassium phosphate are mixed, a white precipitate of calcium phosphate forms. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
CaBr2(aq) + K3PO4(aq) → 2KBr(aq) + Ca3(PO4)2(s)