REDUCTION OF HYDROGEN BROMIDE USING TRANSITION METAL COMPOUNDS.

In the reported experiments, ways of accelerating the redox reaction between chromous bromide and hydrogen bromide to form chromic bromide and hydrogen are examined at room temperature. The process, although thermodynamically favorable, is extremely slow kinematically. Marked increases in rate have been obtained by using the hydrate, pyridine and dipyridyl complexes of chromium. In conjunction with catalysts, hydrogen yields of up to 71% in 10 minutes have been obtained. The significance of these results is discussed in the framework of closed thermochemical cycles for preparing hydrogen.