Discovered | Name | Found | Reactions | Uses

Bromine is a nonmetal in the 4th period of Group VIIA, the halogens. Other members of the group are fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), iodine (I), and astatine (At). The elemental form consists of diatomic Br2 molecules.

Although Löwig isolated bromine in 1825, his work was not published until later, and bromine's discovery is officially attributed to Balard in 1826; the element was not prepared in quantity until 1860.

The name is derived from Greek bromos, stench, referring to the element's irritating, suffocating odor; the symbol Br is derived from the name.

The element is not found uncombined in nature. It usually exists as alkali or alkaline earth metal bromides and can be obtained from natural brines from wells in Michigan and West Virginia and from sea water by displacement with chlorine; electrolysis could also be used.

Bromine, a member of the halogen group, is the only liquid nonmetallic element. It is a dense, mobile, reddish-brown liquid that vaporizes readily at room temperature to a red gas with a strong disagreeable odor akin to that of chlorine. The vapor has a very irritating effect on the eyes and throat.

Bromine is somewhat soluble in water and readily soluble in carbon disulfide, alcohol, or ether, 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 bromine produces painful sores; its action can be reversed by treating immediately with sodium thiosulfate (because the bromine is reduced to bromide ion).

4 Br2 + S2O32- + 5 H2O 8 Br2 + 2 SO42- + 10 H+

Bromine is used in fumigants to protect plants from pests, flame-proofing agents, fire extinguishing agents, water purification compounds, dyes, medicinals, sanitizers, inorganic bromides such as AgBr for photography, plastics, and many other products.