Chlorine Cl₂

Chlorine is a halogen in group 17 and period 3. It is very reactive and is widely used for many purposes, such as as a disinfectant. Due to its high reactivity, it is commonly found in nature bonded to many different elements.

Chlorine, which is similar to fluorine but not as reactive, was prepared by Sheele in the late 1700's and shown to be an element by Davy in 1810. It is a greenish-yellow gas with a disagreeable odor (you can detect it near poorly balanced swimming pools). Its name comes from the Greek word chloros, meaning greenish-yellow. In high concentration it is quite toxic and was used in World War I as a poison gas.