Patents
A process for preparation of a non-hazardous brominating reagent by the oxidation of a source of bromide ions to bromate ions, comprising (i) Dissolving an alkali metal salt in deionized water; (ii) Adding a source of bromide ions in 0.5 to 2.0 times v/v of deionized water containing alkali metal salt obtained in step (i) Under stirring (iii) Purging chlorine gas or flue chlorine gas to the solution of step (ii) Above at a rate ranging from 100 to 1000 ml per minute over a period of 6 to 8 hours or till brown colored vapors are evolved at a temperature of the reaction mixture in the range of 20 to 40°C; (iv) Diluting the mixture obtained in step (Hi) with 2 to 3 times (v/v) of intermediate mixture to obtain a stoichiomertic ratio of bromide ion to bromate ion in the range of 1.9:1 to 2.2:1 and the rest deionized water till a clear solution of the mixture is obtained; (v) Evaporating the reaction mixture of step (iv) to obtain solid product, and drying the product at a temperature in the range of 55 to 80°C to get brominating reagent with an active bromine content maintained between 45 to 55 percent.