Which bromine compounds contain covalent bonds?

Bromine compounds containing covalent bonds include those in which bromine exhibits positive oxidation states, specifically +1, +3, +4, +5, and +7. These compounds are typically stabilized by ligands such as oxygen and fluorine.1

Additionally, many organic and inorganic bromine compounds feature covalent bonding. Examples include:

• Organic bromo compounds: These include ethylene bromide (C₂H₄Br₂), tetrabromoethane (C₂H₂Br₄), and bromoform (CHBr₃).2
• Hydrogen bromide (HBr): A colorless gas that functions as a reducing agent and catalyst.2
• Interhalogen and oxygen-based species: Compounds such as hypobromites (BrO⁻), bromites (BrO⁻₂), bromates (BrO⁻₃), and perbromates (BrO⁻₄) contain covalent bonds.1

While many simple metal bromides (such as those of potassium, sodium, or silver) are primarily ionic, bromine itself exists as a diatomic molecule (Br₂) held together by a covalent bond in all aggregation states.1