Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

   Br

BROMINE

(Gr. bromos, stench)

Br at. wt. 79.909
   at. no. 35 
   m.p. - 7.2°C 
   b.p. 58.78°C 
   density 7.59 g/l (gas)
   density 3.12	(20°C)  (liquid)
   valence 1, 3, 5, or 7.

Bromine was discovered by Balard in 1826, but not prepared in quantity until 1860. A member of the halogen group of elements, it is obtained from natural brines from wells in Michigan and West Virginia and from sea water by displacement with chlorine; electrolysis might be used. Bromine is the only liquid nonmetallic element. It is a heavy, mobile, reddish-brown liquid, volatilizing~readily at room temperature to a red vapor with a strong disagree- able odor, resembling chlorine, and having a very irritating effect on the eyes and throat; it is readily soluble in water or carbon disulfide, forming a red solution; it is less active than chlorine but more so than iodine; it unites readily with many elements and has a bleaching action; when spilled on the skin it produces painful sores. It presents a serious health hazard, and maximum safety precautions should be taken when handling it. About 80% of the bromine output in the U.S. is used in the production of ethylene dibromide, a lead scaven- ger used in making gasoline antiknock compounds. Bro- mine is also used in making fumigants, flameproofing agents, water purification compounds; dyes, medicinals, sanitizers, inorganic bromides for photography, etc. Organic bromides are also important.

Return to periodic table

© 1999 F. Davies
Delphi O.E.M. Co.
All rights reserved