chlorine [Cl]

Introduction

From the Greek khloros meaning greenish-yellow. Discovered but misidentified as a compound by Swedish chemist Carl Withelm Scheele in 1774. Identified as an element by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1810.

Occurrence

• seawater as NaCl
• deposits of salt mines
• chlorine gas is produced by electrolysis of NaCl

Characteristics

• halogen element
• yellowish green, dense, sharp-smelling gas

Uses

see Cl2

More general terms

• halogen

Additional terms

• Cl- (chloride)