clorur

Clorur is a term used in several languages to denote chloride, a chemical concept based on the element chlorine. In chemistry, chloride can refer to the chloride ion, Cl−, or to a broad class of compounds formed when chlorine is bonded to other elements as salts. The word appears in forms such as chlorure in French and clorură in Romanian, while English uses chloride.

Chloride ions are the conjugate bases of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and are ubiquitous in nature and biology. When dissolved in water, many chlorides dissociate to give Cl− ions. Chloride salts are common in minerals, seawater, and biological fluids, and they play a key role in maintaining electrical neutrality in organisms and in various biochemical processes.

Mineral and natural sources of chlorides include halite (sodium chloride, NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), and calcium chloride (CaCl2). These and other chlorides occur widely in rocks, brines, and the oceans. Industrially, the most important production route is the chlor-alkali process, which electrolyzes brine to produce chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide; the process also yields sodium chloride as feedstock for further reactions.

Chlorides range from inorganic salts to organic chlorides, where chlorine is bonded to carbon. Examples include methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In food and everyday use, sodium chloride is the familiar table salt, while calcium and potassium chlorides serve roles in de-icing, preservation, and chemical manufacturing.

Safety and environmental considerations vary by compound. Many inorganic chlorides are relatively benign in moderate quantities, but high exposure to chlorine gas or certain organic chlorides can be hazardous. Proper handling and disposal follow standard chemical safety guidelines.