1,3-Dibromo-5,5-Dimethylhydantoin, often called DBDMH by those in water treatment and chemical manufacturing, works as both a disinfectant and a brominating agent. DBDMH consists of a white crystalline solid, sporting a faint chemical odor that fades in ventilated spaces, carrying itself as an easily recognizable substance in any laboratory or warehouse. Its structure features a five-membered hydantoin ring, with two bulky methyl groups and a pair of bromine atoms latching onto the nitrogen atoms. This compound has made waves over the years for its efficiency, reliability, and manageability whenever water hygiene or organic transformation projects come up.
The molecular formula for DBDMH comes in as C5H6Br2N2O2. Looking at it closely, the crystalline powder presents itself with a density near 2.435 g/cm3, translating to a material that doesn’t scatter easily and stores compactly. DBDMH’s melting point hovers around 199–201°C, which makes it stable under normal conditions, so temperature spikes during transit pose few threats. This chemical dissolves sparingly in water—just enough to release active bromine—and finds better solubility in organic solvents such as acetone or methanol. Its chemical backbone, featuring the hydantoin ring reinforced by those two electronegative bromine atoms, holds up well under most handling conditions but reacts swiftly as a bromine donor.
DBDMH appears in several practical shapes. Large buckets in factories might house solid flakes or fine crystalline powder—sometimes compacted into pearls for pool-use. Companies picking up shipment of DBDMH for industrial-scale sanitation often ask for either the powder or the chunkier, easy-to-handle granules. Others prefer a slurry, made by suspending the powder in slightly acidic or neutral liquid carriers, especially when direct solution dosing is required. For smaller-scale needs, like research labs or municipal water treatment sites, DBDMH also appears in compressed tablets or even stirred up as a measured solution, allowing for tailored volume dosing.
Every chemical leaves a paper trail, and DBDMH falls under the HS Code 2933.59.90, marking it for customs as an organic nitrogen compound. Shipment, storage, and end-use must follow country-specific codes, especially with a chemical that sits in the grey zone between safe ingredient and regulated hazardous material. A lot of focus lands on the purity grade, usually 98% or higher, which becomes essential for consistent results in water disinfection or industrial cleaning. DBDMH’s packaging calls for secure, airtight drums or jars, sometimes with additional moisture-absorbent inserts, as exposure to damp air sparks gradual degradation.
My experience with DBDMH points straight to respect—this material deserves it. The chemical catches moisture from the air, which doesn’t just degrade it but releases some active bromine too, a substance known for being tough on eyes, lungs, and skin. Gloves, safety glasses, and good ventilation form non-negotiable basics around this compound. DBDMH can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and skin if direct contact happens. Its breakdown, especially in high moisture or heat, puts out hydrobromic acid and nitrogen oxides—both harmful if inhaled or touched. Spills need sweeping with care and quick sealing in airtight bags. Never store DBDMH with acids or alkalis; uncontrolled reaction risks increase with those combinations. For larger-scale workplaces, emergency eyewash stations, gloves, and respiratory protection should always sit close at hand. It pays off in safety records and peace of mind.
DBDMH owes much of its value to the unique way it delivers active bromine. Many water parks, hotel pools, and industrial wastewater plants turn to DBDMH instead of liquid bleach or gaseous treatments, finding the dosing straightforward, with byproducts easy to neutralize. Its use as a raw material extends to pharmaceuticals and flame retardants. Over the years, sourcing raw material for DBDMH—mainly hydantoin and elemental bromine—has stayed steady, but it always benefits from local suppliers who commit to transparent, sustainable practices. Chemical buyers tend to scrutinize not just purity but the environmental and workplace standards used in production, reflecting growing market demand for responsible manufacturing across the globe.
Product: 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-Dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH)
Chemical Formula: C5H6Br2N2O2
Molecular Weight: 285.93 g/mol
Physical State: White solid, powder, flakes, pearls, or crystalline forms
Density: 2.435 g/cm3
Melting Point: 199–201°C
HS Code: 2933.59.90
Handling Precautions: Avoid moist air, strong acids/alkalis, direct contact, inhalation; use PPE
Main Raw Materials: Hydantoin, elemental bromine
Main Applications: Water disinfection, biocide, brominating agent, organic intermediate, flame retardant
Hazard Profile: Irritant, hazardous breakdown products, store away from incompatible substances
Recommended Storage: Dry, cool, airtight containers, avoid humidity and direct sunlight
