A new efficient synthesis of 5-bromotetrazole is presented. The free acid bromotetrazole was synthesized in a straightforward reaction analogous to the production of nitrotetrazole. Its sodium salt was readily produced via acid/base salt metathesis. Both products were characterized chemically and as energetic materials by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, x-ray crystallography, TGA, impact and friction tests.