Chlorine is produced commercially chiefly by the electrolysis of sodium chloride, either molten or in solution. Other chlorides are sometimes employed. These compounds resist degradation and have become very troublesome environmental pollutants. Carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene are used as solvents. The Freon refrigerants are hydrocarbons that have been reacted with chlorine and fluorine.
Chlorine is an important constituent of many poison gases.
It is used in such compounds as calomel, chloroform , and chloral hydrate , which are used in medicine. It is also employed in the extraction of bromine from seawater. Listing from Electric Library , a pay service. Copyright 2001 Infonautics Corporation . All rights reserved.