Characteristic

Iron(III) bromide is the chemical compound with the formula FeBr₃. Also known as ferric bromide, this red-brown odorless compound is used as a Lewis acid catalyst in the halogenation of aromatic compounds. It dissolves in water to give acidic solutions.

Chemical formula：FeBr₃

Molar mass：295.56 g mol⁻¹

Appearance：brown solid

Odor：odorless

Density：4.50 g cm⁻³

Melting point：200 °C (392 °F; 473 K) (decomposes)

Crystal structure：Trigonal, hR24

Application

Ferric bromide is occasional use as an oxidant in organic chemistry, e.g. for the conversion of alcohols to ketones. It is used as a Lewis acidic catalyst for bromination of aromatic compounds. For the latter applications, it is often generated in situ.