LingvoCore.com

hydrobromic acid

C2+
UK/ˌhaɪ.drəʊˌbrəʊ.mɪk ˈæs.ɪd/US/ˌhaɪ.droʊˌbroʊ.mɪk ˈæs.ɪd/

Technical

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A strong, corrosive acid formed by dissolving hydrogen bromide in water, with the chemical formula HBr.

In a broader chemical context, it refers to an aqueous solution of hydrogen bromide gas, widely used in laboratories and industry as a reagent, catalyst, or for the preparation of bromides.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

This is a specific chemical compound term. Its meaning is fixed and scientific; it does not have metaphorical or everyday uses.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or spelling differences. The term is identical in both varieties.

Connotations

Purely technical/scientific with no cultural connotations.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Used exclusively in chemistry, pharmacology, and related technical fields.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
concentrated hydrobromic acidaqueous hydrobromic acidhydrobromic acid solution
medium
react with hydrobromic acidprepared using hydrobromic acidtreated with hydrobromic acid
weak
bottle of hydrobromic acidhandling hydrobromic acidpurchase hydrobromic acid

Grammar

Valency Patterns

PREP: with ~VERB: prepare/produce/neutralize ~ADJ: concentrated/aqueous ~

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

HBr(aq)

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Exclusively in chemical manufacturing or pharmaceutical supply chain contexts.

Academic

Used in chemistry, chemical engineering, and pharmacology research papers and lab manuals.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

The primary domain of use: chemical synthesis, analytical procedures, material processing.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

  • The hydrobromic acid solution must be handled in a fume cupboard.

American English

  • Hydrobromic acid vapors are highly corrosive and irritating.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B2
  • The chemist carefully poured the hydrobromic acid into the flask.
C1
  • The alkene was subjected to Markovnikov addition using concentrated hydrobromic acid as the reagent.
  • Due to its high acidity, hydrobromic acid is commonly employed in the cleavage of ethers.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Hydrogen Bromide' dissolved in water makes an 'acid' = Hydrobromic Acid.

Conceptual Metaphor

N/A – Literal chemical term.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid calquing as *'гидробромичная кислота'*. The standard Russian term is 'бромоводородная кислота'.

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect: 'hydrobromide acid' (Correct: hydrobromic acid). Incorrect: 'hydrobromic' used as a noun (e.g., 'add some hydrobromic').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The synthesis required the use of concentrated to facilitate the bromination reaction.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary use of hydrobromic acid in organic chemistry?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid. It requires careful handling with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilation.

Hydrogen bromide (HBr) is a pungent, colorless gas. Hydrobromic acid is the aqueous solution formed when this gas dissolves in water.

No, it is an industrial and laboratory chemical not used in household products due to its high hazard level.

It has a sharp, pungent, irritating odor due to the hydrogen bromide gas it can release.