Bis(dialkylamide)hydrogen dibromobromate precursors of hypobromite ion in reactions with nerve and blister agent simulants.

Hypobromite ion, BrO(-), is an effective alpha-nucleophile that reacts rapidly with activated phosphorus(V) and sulfonate esters. The parent acid rapidly oxidizes organic sulfides and aryloxide ions. At pH 10-11 BrO(-) and HOBr coexist in water and are potentially useful as decontaminants of chlorosulfide blister agents and the phosphonyl nerve agents.