A yellow readily sublimable solid, PBr₅, which decomposes below 100°C and is soluble in benzene and carbon tetrachloride (tetrachloromethane). It may be prepared by the reaction of phosphorus(III) bromide with bromine or the direct reaction of phosphorus with excess bromine. It is very readily hydrolysed to give hydrogen bromide and phosphoric(V) acid. An interesting feature of this material is that in the solid state it has the structure [PBr₄]⁺Br⁻. It is used in organic chemistry as a brominating agent.