ETHYLENE BROMIDE

also called ethylene dibromide, or 1,2-dibromoethane a colourless, sweet-smelling, nonflammable, toxic liquid belonging to the family of organic halogen compounds, principally used in conjunction with lead-containing anti-knock agents as a component of gasoline. Ethylene bromide is manufactured by the reaction of ethylene with bromine. It is denser than water and very slightly soluble in it but is soluble in many organic liquids. Its use in internal-combustion engines derives from its ability to convert nonvolatile lead compounds into lead bromide, which vaporizes at the high temperatures in the combustion chamber and is swept out in the exhaust gases.