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Sodium Bromide

In the reaction of sodium bromide with sulfuric acid, the sulfuric acid acts as an acid and donates a proton to the halide.Misty fumes of HBr are observed.NaBr + H2SO4 → NaHSO4 + HBr
A redox reaction also occurs:The bromide ions are strong enough reducing agents to reduce the concentrated sulphuric acid to sulphur dioxide gas.The bromide ions are oxidised to bromine. The oxidation state of the sulfur decreases from +6 in the sulphuric acid to +4 in the sulphur dioxide.Overall:2HBr + H2SO4 → 2H2O + SO2 + Br2You get a mixture of three gases including brown fumes of bromine gas.Sulfur dioxide is colourless.

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Specification: Edexcel Chemistry (8CH0), AS-level, Topic 4B: The elements of Group 7 (halogens). Topic: Group 7.

Key terms in this lesson

reducing agent
A substance that donates electrons to another species, causing it to be reduced, while it is itself oxidised.
oxidation number
A number assigned to an atom showing its degree of oxidation, based on the electrons it would gain or lose if all bonds were ionic.

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All 14 lessons in Group 7 · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics