Bromine

Bromine, chemical element, symbol Br; for physical constants see Periodic Table. Bromine was discovered by Antoine J. Balard in 1826. It belongs to the halogen group of elements and is obtained from natural brines and sea water by displacement with chlorine. Bromine, a heavy reddish-brown liquid, is the only nonmetallic element that is liquid at room temperature. It produces irritating red fumes at room temperature and produces painful sores on skin contact. Bromine is less active than chlorine. The major use of bromine is in the production of ethylene dibromide, a lead scavenger used in making gasoline antiknock compounds. It is also used in making fumigants, flameproofing agents, water purification compounds, dyes, medicinals, sanitizers, and photographic chemicals.