Metathetical exchange reactions of (i) boron tribromide with anhydrous chlorides of Al^III, Tl^I, Sn^IV, As^III, Sb^III, Sb^V, Bi^III, Ti^III, Ti^IV, Zr^IV, Hf^IV, V^III, Nb^V, Ta^V, Mo^V, W^VI, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II, Pt^IV, Cu^II, and Cd^II; (ii) BBr₃ and oxychlorides of S^VI and V^V; and (iii) Bl₃ with anhydrous chlorides of Sn^IV, Sb^III, and Ti^IV, provide a general method of synthesising anhydrous bromides and iodides. Boron tribromide reacts with the cluster chloride Pt₆Cl₁₂ forming the new mixed halide (PtBrCl)_n. The exchange reactions are essentially quantitative, and separation of pure products is readily achieved.

The general reaction between boron tribromide and metal, metalloid, and non-metal oxides for preparing anhydrous bromides and oxybromides has been extended. Thus the reactions of BBr₃ with oxides of Ga^III, In^III, Tl^III, Sn^IV, Bi^III, Te^IV, Zr^IV, Nb^V, Ta^V, Mo^IV, Mo^VI, Fe^III, La^III, U^IV, Zn^II, Hg^I, and Hg^II, and of Bl₃ with oxides of Sn^IV and Ta^V, are reported.

Vibrational spectra for the halides NbOBr₃, NbBr₅, TaBr₅, and Pt₆Br₆Cl₆ are described.