Element Name: Bromine Atomic Number: 35
Atomic Mass: 79.904 State @ room temperature: Liquid
Melting Point: 265.95 K Boiling Point: 331.93 K
Electron Configuration: Cp: 0.473 J/gK
Who named it: Antoine J. Balard When was it discovered? 1826 in France
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Physical Description:
Bromine is the only liquid nonmetallic element. It is a member of the halogen group. It is a heavy, volatile, mobile, dangerous reddish-brown liquid. The red vapor has a strong unpleasant odor and the vapor irritates the eyes and throat. It is a bleaching. When spilled on the skin it produces painful sores. It is a serious health hazard, and maximum safety precautions should be taken when handling it.
History and How Named:
Long ago an excretion from a particular kind of mussel was used to make a purple dye called "Tyrian purple". It is now known that a key compound in this process is an organ bromine compound. It seems that an undergraduate chemist called Carl LDwig studying at Heidelberg presented one of his lecturers, Leopold Gmelin, with a sample of bromine that he had made over the summer holidays. LDwig's exams interrupted his studies long enough to allow a report from Antoine-JX(bar)rome Balard to take precedence in 1826. Bromine was not prepared in quantity until 1860. It is derived from the Greek word "Bromos" meaning "Stench."
What is it used for?
Bromine is used in production of ethylene dibromide for gasoline antiknock compounds; dyes; pesticides; fumigants; and as a component of photographic film.
