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Table Of Content
What is Chlorine?
Chlorine is an important chemical element of the Halogen family. Chlorine is represented by chemical symbol Cl and has atomic number 17. It exists as a diatomic, yellow green gas. Most abundant compound of Chlorine is Sodium Chloride (NaCl).It is a weaker oxidizing agent in comparison to Fluorine (F2).
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Who Discovered Chlorine?
Chlorine was first isolated by Scheele in 1774, though he could not establish its nature as an element. In 1810 Davy extensive studied Chlorine and gave it its name which was derived from a Greek word chloros which meant pale green.
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Production of Chlorine
In laboratory, Chlorine was first prepared by carrying out reaction of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) with Manganese Dioxide (MnO2). This was done by Scheele for the first time in the laboratory.
Chemical equations for production of Chlorine
Gas prepared by this method is not pure. The gas obtained in passed through water first to remove HCl and then through concentrated Sulphuric Acid H2SO4 to remove traces of water.
Commercially, Chlorine gas can be prepared in two ways:
a. Electrolysis of Aqueous NaCl solution
b. By electrolysis of molten NaCl
Properties of Chlorine gas
- It is a toxic and poisonous gas, because of its toxicity it was used as poison gas in World War I.
- It has pungent smell.
- Small amount of Chlorine gas if inhaled causes sore throat and running eyes.
- Large amount of Chlorine gas if inhaled may case cough, lung damage and ultimately leads to death.
Uses of Chlorine gas
- Chlorine is widely used for the purification of water because it kills bacteria.
- It is used for the production of DDT, Gamaxane and many more useful compounds.
- It has bleaching action. It shows permanent bleaching action because it bleaches by its oxidizing action.
- It is used for synthesis of many useful organo compounds such as 1, 2 – dicholoroethane and Vinyl chloride.
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