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BROMINE
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Atomic Number:35
Atomic Symbol:Br
Atomic Weight:79.904
Electron Configuration:[Ar]4s23d104p5
Total Isotopes47
Total Isomers16
Radioactive Isotopes29
Stable Isotopes2
X-Ray Energies
11.90
13.30
LL1.29
1.48
Mz

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History

(Gr. bromos, stench) Discovered by Balard in 1826, but not prepared in quantity until 1860.

Sources

Element DisplaysA member of the halogen group of elements, it is obtained from natural brines from wells in Michigan and Arkansas. Little bromine is extracted today from seawater, which contains only about 85 ppm.

Properties

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 disagreeable 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, 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.

Production

Much of the bromine output in the U.S. was used in the production of ethylene dibromide, a lead scavenger used in making gasoline antiknock compounds. Lead in gasoline, however, has been drastically reduced, due to environmental considerations. This will greatly affect future production of bromine.

Uses

Bromine is used in making fumigants, flameproofing agents, water purification compounds, dyes, medicinals, sanitizers, inorganic bromides for photography, etc. Organic bromides are also important.


Sources: Los Alamos National Laboratory; CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics; American Chemical Society
Element image from www.element-collection.com used with permission
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