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Halogen

Definition

• Halogen refers to those elements in the seventeenth column of the periodic table, fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At):



• Halogenated refers to a chemical compound or mixture that contains halogen atoms.
• Halide refers to the monoanionic (one negative charge) form of a halogen atom, specifically, fluoride (F^-), chloride (Cl^-), bromide (Br^-) and iodide (I^-).

Additional Info

The elemental forms of the halogens are all diatomic (two-atom) molecules e.g. F₂ (gas), Cl₂ (gas), Br₂ (liquid), and I₂ (volatile solid). Astatine is not naturally occurring (only a few micrograms have ever been produced) so we will ignore it here.

In their elemental forms, all of the halogens are toxic, strong oxidizers, and very chemically reactive. Fortunately, only laboratory chemists tend to encounter these in their elemental forms.

Two broad classes of halogenated materials are: Ionic halides - Ionic materials are formed from positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) which are held together by electrostatic attraction. If an ionic compound contains a halide anion we can call the material an ionic halide. When an ionic halide is dissolved in a solvent, it dissociates into its component ions. The simplest example of an ionic halide is ordinary table salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), which dissociates in water to form Na+ and Cl- ions which are not bonded to each other. Halide ions are important electrolytes in the human body, and the fluoride ion is useful in preventing tooth decay. Covalent halides - In a covalent molecule, the halide atom has a strong, directional chemical bond to another atom. If this other atom is a carbon atom we can call the material a halogenated organic molecule. If we are using this material to dissolve something we might call it a halogenated organic solvent. When a covalent halide dissolves, the halogen atom remains firmly attached to whatever it was bonded to and is not an electrolyte. Some examples of halogenated organic materials are carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride (dichloromethane), trichloroethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) [PTFE = Teflontm].

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Some other terms that involve halogens are halocarbon (a halogenated hydrocarbon), chlorocarbon (a chlorinated hydrocarbon) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC, a class of molecules containing Cl, F, and C that are useful refrigerants and extinguishing agents, but are also very bad for the ozone layer). You may also hear the term halogenated waste around the laboratory, because chemists often segregate their chemical wastes into halogenated materials and non-halogenated materials because it costs more to dispose of halogenated materials and because halogenated wastes are sometimes incompatible with other wastes. Halogenated organic molecules are a very important class of chemicals that are used to produce a wide variety of other chemicals and consumer products. Unfortunately, chlorinated organic molecules are often health hazards and some are even known human carcinogens. Therefore, if you are working with a chlorinated material, you should pay particular attention to the MSDS and other available health information. A good rule of thumb is that the more chlorine atoms an organic molecule has, the more likely it is to be carcinogenic. Some examples of chlorinated molecules that are thought to pose health hazards include the following:



MSDS Relevance

Always read the MSDS for any material, but take particular care to read it for a chlorinated organic material. You can minimize your exposure to chlorinated organics by 1) reducing or eliminating their use, 2) using them only with proper engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation or a fume hood and 3) using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as an organic vapor respirator (a paper mask does NOTHING), goggles, non-permeable gloves and an chemically-resistant apron. Also remember that many such materials are flammable.

Inorganic halides and ionic halides can pose varying degrees of risk. For example, titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) reacts violently with moisture in the air to form dense clouds of HCl (an acid) gas. Even sodium chloride can pose hazards - NaCl reacts with sulfuric acid to give HCl(g) as a product. And you always wondered why table salt needs an MSDS...

Books Available

• "Solvent Neurotoxicity", Hardcover, 400 pages, 1992. Estimated price $349.95. Includes very detailed info on several common halogenated solvents. Info and/or order .
• "ew Types of Persistent Halogenated Compounds, Paperback, 384 pages, 2009. Estimated price $280.00. Includes very detailed info on several common halogenated solvents. Info and/or order .
• "Biochemistry of Halogenated Organic Compounds", Hardcover, 378 pages, 1991. Estimated price $162.00.
Includes detailed info on several halogenated solvents. Info and/or order .

Further Reading View OSHA Standard 1910.1052 on the use of methylene chloride (CH2Cl2, dichloromethane) in the workplace. View the ATSDR entry on 1,1,1,-trichloroethane (TCA). The U.S. EPA has a Aqueous and Semi-Aqueous Solvent Chemicals: Environmentally Preferable Choices Guide and Wall Chart, although it is now a bit outdated. Questions and Answers about Dioxins at the U.S. FDA. See Scorecards's and the U.S. EPA's web sites on PCB's as well as U.S. Federal Regulations on PCB's, 40 CFR 761. Do You Know How To Work Safely With PCB's? at the U.K.'s HSE.

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See also: carbon tetrachloride, organic, solvent.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.