Bromine
BRO-meen
Bromine (Br) is a red brown liquid non metal. It has the atomic number 35 in the periodic table. It is located in Group 17, the Halogens. It has the symbol Br.
Bromine derives its name from the ancient Greek word for ‘Stench’ - Bromos. Much like Chlorine and Fluorine it has a strong smell. Bromine is a very reactive element and does not occur freely n nature but instead exists as white/colourless crystalline solids as halide salts. It is however easily found in sea water and is commonly extracted in brine pools. Bromine has a number of uses but it is primarily used as a fire retardent. It also has a wide use in photography as film. Bromine was discovered by Carl Jacob Löwig and Antoine Balard who independently discovered the liquid in 1825 and 1826. Both succeeded in isolating Bromine from different compounds. Löwig isolated the bromine from water samples in Germany using chlorine and diethyl ether to isolate a brown solid. But it was Balard who using the ash of seaweed produced Bromine and published his discovery first. It is located in Group 17 and it has a melting point of -7°c and a boiling point of 58°c being a liquid at room temperature.
FAQ's
Antoine J. Balard
1826
Uses
It was once used in large quantities to make a compound that removed lead compound build up in engines burning leaded gasoline. Now it is primarily used in dyes, disinfectants, and photographic chemicals.
Sources
Occurs in compounds in sea water.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Br
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