What happens when bromine dissolves in water?

When bromine dissolves in water at room temperature, it forms a solution known as bromine water, with approximately 3.41 grams of bromine dissolving in 100 milliliters of water.1

This solution acts as a good oxidizing agent, capable of liberating free iodine from iodide-containing solutions and oxidizing sulfurous acid to sulfuric acid. In the presence of sunlight, bromine water decomposes and releases oxygen. Additionally, a hydrate—specifically a clathrate—can be isolated from bromine water, consisting of 172 water molecules with cavities that accommodate bromine molecules.1

If bromine is dissolved in aqueous alkali hydroxide solutions instead of pure water, it reacts to form bromides, hypobromites, or bromates, depending on the temperature.1