BCDMH

1-Bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH or bromochlorodimethylhydantoin) is a chemical structurally related to hydantoin. It is a white crystalline compound with a slight bromine and acetone odor and is insoluble in water, but soluble in acetone.

BCDMH

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1-Bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione
Other names bromochloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, BCDMH, agribrom, aquabrom, aquabrome, bromicide, bromochlorodimethylhydantoin, di-halo, halogene T30, HarvestCide, nylate, photobrome, slimicide 78P
Identifiers
CAS Number	32718-18-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1895319
ChemSpider	29069 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.334
EC Number	204-766-9
PubChem CID	31335
UNII	W18O2G87ND Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7029162
InChI InChI=1S/C5H6BrClN2O2/c1-5(2)3(10)8(6)4(11)9(5)7/h1-2H3 Y Key: PQRDTUFVDILINV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C5H6BrClN2O2/c1-5(2)3(10)8(6)4(11)9(5)7/h1-2H3 Key: PQRDTUFVDILINV-UHFFFAOYAT
SMILES O=C1N(Br)C(=O)N(Cl)C1(C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C5H6BrClN2O2
Molar mass	241.47 g/mol
Appearance	White solid
Density	1.9 g/cm3
Melting point	159 to 163 °C (318 to 325 °F; 432 to 436 K)
Solubility in water	0.15 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Flamability, Inhalation
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H272, H302, H312, H314, H317, H332, H400
Precautionary statements	P210, P220, P221, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P301+P312, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P312, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P321, P322, P330, P333+P313, P363, P370+P378, P391, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 1 1
Flash point	Decomposes at 160°C
Safety data sheet (SDS)	External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

BCDMH is an excellent source of both chlorine and bromine as it reacts slowly with water releasing hypochlorous acid and hypobromous acid. It used as a chemical disinfectant for recreational water sanitation and drinking water purification.^[1] BCDMH works in the following manner:^[2]

The initial BCDMH reacts with water (R = Dimethylhydantoin):

BrClR + 2 H₂O → HOBr + HOCl + RH₂

Hypobromous acid partially dissociates in water:

HOBr → H⁺ + OBr⁻

Hypobromous acid oxidizes the substrate, itself being reduced to bromide:

HOBr + Live pathogens → Br⁻ + Dead pathogens

The bromide ions are oxidized with the hypochlorous acid that was formed from the initial BCDMH:

Br⁻ + HOCl → HOBr + Cl⁻

This produces more hypobromous acid; the hypochlorous acid itself act directly as a disinfectant in the process.

Preparation

This compound is prepared by first brominating, then chlorinating 5,5-dimethylhydantoin:^[3]