Kloorimist

Kloorimist is the chemical process of introducing chlorine into a substrate, typically an organic compound. In Estonian-language chemistry literature, the term covers electrophilic, radical, and nucleophilic chlorination, and includes the use of chlorine gas, hypochlorite solutions, hydrogen chloride, and other chlorine-containing reagents as sources of chlorine.

Applications of kloorimist span several domains. In water treatment, chlorination is used for disinfection, often employing sodium hypochlorite or chlorine gas to form hypochlorous acid, which kills microorganisms. In organic synthesis, chlorination introduces chlorine atoms into molecules, enabling further transformations or the production of chlorinated intermediates. Chlorinated polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are another important industry outcome of controlled kloorimist processes.

Safety, environmental, and regulatory considerations are central to kloorimist. Chlorination can produce disinfection byproducts when reactive chlorine species encounter organic matter, necessitating monitoring and control of byproduct formation. Chlorine gas is highly toxic and corrosive, requiring appropriate ventilation, containment, and personal protective equipment. Wastewater and effluent management aim to limit residual chlorine and its ecological impacts. Regulatory frameworks in many regions govern reagent handling, exposure limits, and permissible residual chlorine levels.

History and context place kloorimist as a widely adopted set of techniques in the 20th century, particularly for public health-driven water disinfection and for the synthesis of a broad range of chlorinated compounds. Today, the term remains common in Estonian technical and chemical literature, while in English the process is generally referred to as chlorination.