Bromic Acid — Chambers's Encyclopaedia

Bromic Acid, $\text{HBrO}_3$ , is the best-known compound of bromine and oxygen. It is prepared pure by acting on bromine, $\text{Br}_2$ , with bromate of silver, $\text{AgBrO}_3$ , when bromide of silver and bromic acid are produced. Bromic acid is a very unstable acid, being readily decomposed by reducing agents. It forms a whole series of salts called Bromates, none of which are of importance. They are mostly crystalline, but their watery solutions readily decompose when evaporated. When heated, they liberate oxygen and form bromides (see BROMINE). Mixed with sulphur or charcoal, they explode by percussion, and in this and other properties resemble the chlorates. See CHLORIC ACID.