Uploaded August 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Some bromine is made from common chemicals. The needed supplies are hydrochloric acid (muriatic), calcium hypochlorite, and sodium bromide. These are available as pool and spa chemicals. Calcium hypochlorite is pool shock, sodium bromide solution is one part of a two part bromine system. To generate the bromine, chlorine gas will be bubbled through the sodium bromide solution. The chlorine will displace the bromine, which can be distilled off. Calcium hypochlorite was placed in the bottom of a small Erlenmeyer vacuum flask, with a sep funnel set up to add the HCl drop-wise. A rubber hose on the vacuum tap sends the chlorine to a 500 ml boiling flask about 1/3 full of sodium bromide solution. The chlorine goes down a glass tube so that it bubbles up through the sodium bromide solution. As soon as chlorine starts to bubble, the color of bromine becomes apparent in the boiling flask. After the reaction completes, the bromine is distilled off by simple distillation. It is saved in a glass ampoule so that it can be further purified later.
Bromine and chlorine are extremely hazardous and anything involving them requires a serious ventilation system, or working outside.
Some bromine is made from common chemicals. The needed supplies are hydrochloric acid (muriatic), calcium hypochlorite, and sodium bromide. These are available as pool and spa chemicals. Calcium hypochlorite is pool shock, sodium bromide solution is one part of a two part bromine system. To generate the bromine, chlorine gas will be bubbled through the sodium bromide solution. The chlorine will displace the bromine, which can be distilled off. Calcium hypochlorite was placed in the bottom of a small Erlenmeyer vacuum flask, with a sep funnel set up to add the HCl drop-wise. A rubber hose on the vacuum tap sends the chlorine to a 500 ml boiling flask about 1/3 full of sodium bromide solution. The chlorine goes down a glass tube so that it bubbles up through the sodium bromide solution. As soon as chlorine starts to bubble, the color of bromine becomes apparent in the boiling flask. After the reaction completes, the bromine is distilled off by simple distillation. It is saved in a glass ampoule so that it can be further purified later.
Bromine and chlorine are extremely hazardous and anything involving them requires a serious ventilation system, or working outside.
