Brom

Brom, commonly referred to as bromine, is the chemical element with the symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is the only nonmetal that is liquid at room temperature, existing as a diatomic molecule, Br2. Bromine is a dense, highly reactive halogen with a sharp, distinctive odor and a reddish-brown liquid appearance. Its two stable isotopes are 79Br and 81Br. In nature it is found in very small amounts in seawater and brines, rather than in native minerals.

Commercial bromine is produced from bromide-containing brines by oxidation, typically with chlorine, which releases Br2 that is then purified by distillation or air stripping. The largest producers operate in coastal or inland brine fields. Bromine forms a wide range of compounds used in industry, including brominated flame retardants, intermediates for pharmaceuticals and dyes, and reagents for organic synthesis. Silver bromide was historically important in photography, and bromine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment and swimming pools. Methyl bromide, a brominated fumigant, has been restricted due to environmental concerns.

Health and safety: Bromine gas and many bromine compounds are toxic and corrosive. Exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract and may affect the nervous system with prolonged contact. Handling is typically performed with appropriate ventilation, containment, and protective equipment. The discovery of bromine is credited to the French chemist Antoine Jérôme Balard in 1826, who isolated it from subsea brines in Montpellier. The name derives from the Greek bromos meaning odor, in reference to its smell.