What is the common oxidation number of bromine in its compounds?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 3, 2015

Usually -I, but not always.

Explanation:

As a halogen, bromine commonly exhibits a -I oxidation state (i.e. valency) in its ionic compounds as the bromide anion, but it does not do so exclusively. Bromine does form so-called interhalogen compounds, e.g BrF_3, or even BrF (and what is the formal oxidation state of Br in these two examples; they are different in each case). Oxidation numbers of +I, +III, +V, and +VII are known with its oxides, and oxoanions.

Both valency and oxidation number are of course a formalism; can you assign the oxidation number of bromine in its elemental state?

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