Chlorine Gas - Diatomic Toxic Yellow Green Gas, Electrolyze With Aqueous Nacl - Pungent Odor, Historical Element From Scheele And Davy

Chlorine is an important chemical element of the Halogen family. Chlorine is represented by chemical symbol Cl and has atomic number 17. It exists as a diatomic, yellow green gas. Most abundant compound of Chlorine is Sodium Chloride (NaCl).It is a weaker oxidizing agent in comparison to Fluorine (F2).

Chlorine Gas
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Who Discovered Chlorine?
Chlorine was first isolated by Scheele in 1774, though he could not establish its nature as an element. In 1810 Davy extensive studied Chlorine and gave it its name which was derived from a Greek word chloros which meant pale green.

Davy
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Production of Chlorine
In laboratory, Chlorine was first prepared by carrying out reaction of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) with Manganese Dioxide (MnO2). This was done by Scheele for the first time in the laboratory.

Chemical equations for production of Cl

Chemical equations for production of Chlorine

Gas prepared by this method is not pure. The gas obtained in passed through water first to remove HCl and then through concentrated Sulphuric Acid H2SO4 to remove traces of water.

Commercially, Chlorine gas can be prepared in two ways:
a. Electrolysis of Aqueous NaCl solution

Electrolysis of Aqueous NaCl solution
b. By electrolysis of molten NaCl

Electrolysis of molten NaCl
Properties of Chlorine gas
1. It is a toxic and poisonous gas, because of its toxicity it was used as poison gas in World War I.
2. It has pungent smell.