Reaction between aluminium and bromine 2Al + 3Br2 → 2AlBr3

Bromine and aluminum react very violently with each other, when they are brought in contact with each other. The reaction, however, is not immediate. There is an induction period of well over a minute, before the reaction really starts, but once it is going, it is very violent and spectacular. 2Al + 3Br2 → 2AlBr3 The induction time probably is due to the oxide layer of the aluminum. It takes some time, before the bromine has found its way through the oxide layer and during that time no visible reaction occurs. The compound AlBr3 is a fairly volatile covalent compound. This explains the white fumes, mixed with the bromine vapor, escaping from the test tube source : woelen.homescience.net