bromine is quite reactive. its reactivity is between chlorine, which is more reactive, and iodine, which is less reactive. it reacts with metals and nonmetals. phosphorus reacts violently with bromine. aluminum reacts in a similar way. it can bleach things like chlorine. it reacts better in the light. it dissolves a little in water. hot water makes it disproportionate into hydrobromic acid and hypobromous acid. bromine can form compounds with substances such as sodium to form sodium bromide.