Bromine

Some Bromine in a test-tube.

General Info.

Bromine usually exists as a dirty-looking red/brown liquid, and is, in fact, the only non- metallic liquid in the world. Like all of the halogens, Bromine is toxic, and causes sores if brought into contact with the skin.
Bromine was first isolated in 1826 by Antoine J. Balard in France. Nowadays, there are some 550,000 metric tonnes of Bromine produced by the industry per year. And that's a lot of something which was named after the Greek word for 'stench'.

Properties.

Bromine is less reactive than Flourine or Chlorine (but more reactive than Iodine), and doesn't react particularly violently. It's use in the disinfection of water has been diminished, however, as it tends to react with ammonia and other amines, limiting it's effectiveness.
The most useful thing Bromine does in the chemcial environment is distinguish between alkenes and alkanes; it reacts with alkenes and loses it's trademark colour, though it does nothing with alkanes.

Uses.

Bromine was first used in ancient times in a purple dye, the source chemical of which was extracted from mussels. In modern times it's used in petrol as an anti-knock agent, as well as being found in fumigants, flame-proofing, water purifying (though less often nowadays), dyes, medicine, photography and pesticides.
Without Bromine you'd be dead.

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