Individual compounds include the anhydrous material (x = 0), the hexahydrate (x = 6), and the rare dihydrate (x = 2).

All are white powders that dissolve in water, and from these solutions crystallizes the hexahydrate.

[1] It is produced by the reaction of calcium oxide, calcium carbonate with bromine in the presence of a reducing agent such as formic acid or formaldehyde:[1] Solid calcium bromide adopts the rutile structure, featuring octahedral Ca2+ centres bound to six bromide anions, which also bridge to other Ca2+ centres.

When strongly heated in air, calcium bromide reacts with oxygen to produce calcium oxide and bromine: It is mainly used as dense aqueous solutions for drilling fluids.

[1] It is also used in neuroses medication, freezing mixtures, food preservatives, photography and fire retardants.