From the CRC handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, Cleveland, 55th ed., 1974-75 "The Elements" by C.R. Hammond. page B-10
CHLORINE (Gr. chloros, greenish-yellow), Cl; at.wt. 35.453; at.no. 17; f.p. -100.98 C; b.p. -34.6 C; density 3.214 g/l; sp.gr. 1.56 (-33.6 C); valence 1,3,5, or 7. Discovered in 1774 by Scheele, who thought it contained oxygen; named in 1810 by Davy, who insisted it was an element. In nature it is found in the combined state only, chiefly with sodium as common salt (NaCl), carnallite (KMgCl3 6H2O), and sylvite (KCl). It is a member of the halogen (salt forming) group of elements and is obtained from chlorides by the action of oxidizing agents and more often by electrolysis; it is a greenish-yellow gas, combining directly with nearly all elements. At 10 C one volume of water dissolves 3.10 volumes of chlorine; at 30 C only 1.77 volumes. Chlorine is widely used in making many every-day products. It is used for producing safe drinking water the world over. Even the smallest water supplies are now usually chlorinated. It is also extensively used in the production of paper products, dyestuffs, textiles, petroleum products, medicines, antiseptics, insecticides, foodstuffs, solvents, paints, plastics, and many other consumer products. Most of the chlorine produced is used in the manufacture of chlorinated compounds for sanitation, pulp bleaching, disinfectants, and textile processing. Further use is in the manufacture of chlorates, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and in the extraction of bromine. Organic chemistry demands much from chlorine, both as an oxidizeig agent and in substitution since it ofent brings desired properties in an organic compound when substituted for hydrogen, as in one form of synthetic rubber. Chlorine is a respiratory irritant. The gas irritates the mucous membranes and the liquid burns the skin. As little as 3.5 ppm. can be detected as an odor, and 1000 ppm. is likely to be fatal after a few deep breaths. It was used as a war gas in 1915. The recommended allowable concentration in air is about 1 ppm. for prolonged exposure.
