Quick Facts
- Also called:
- bromomethane
- Related Topics:
- alkyl halide
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methyl bromide
chemical compound
Also known as: bromomethane
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See all videos for this articlemethyl bromide, a colourless, nonflammable, highly toxic gas (readily liquefied) belonging to the family of organic halogen compounds. It is used as a fumigant against insects and rodents in food, tobacco, and nursery stock; smaller amounts are used in the preparation of other organic compounds.
Methyl bromide is manufactured by the reaction of methanol with hydrobromic acid; it is slightly soluble in water but miscible with many organic solvents. For use as a fumigant, methyl bromide often is mixed with chloropicrin, which serves as a warning agent because of its intense odour.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Michele Metych.
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