Chlorine Chemistry

All POPs are organochloride compounds, which means that they are organic compounds bound to CHLORINE atoms.

Chlorine is extremely reactive due to its structure, mainly because its valence electron shell has 7 electrons. This makes it very attractive to other atoms seeking to share 1 of their valence electrons. It often forms bridges between molecules which would otherwise be unreactive.

 

 

 

 

Due to its high reactivity, chlorine is often found as a building block in complex, reactive molecules. To obtain chlorine as a building block, chemists use the process of electrolysis to separate it from sodium in salt water. It can then be used to synthesize various organochloride compounds. Organochloride compounds are used for disinfection, construction, recreation, the automobile industry, pharmaceuticals, and to create other chemicals.

 

 

 

Chlorine chemistry is a huge part of the United States economy, and companies that produce organochloride chemicals are extremely powerful. These companies support 2 million jobs and a $52 billion payroll. The extent to which chlorine is involved in the automobile industry is depicted below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine Chemistry Council, http://www.c3.org/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To get a better understanding of the issues surrounding the chlorine chemistry industry, check out the following debate between the executive director of the Chlorine Chemistry Council and a member of the Chemical and Engineering News advisory board:

The Many Faces of Chlorine: Howlett and Collins square off about one of the most evocative chemicals

 

 

Sources:

Chlorine Chemistry Council, http://www.c3.org/index.html

Schulz, W. "The Many Faces of Chlorine: Howlett and Collins square off about one of the most evocative chemicals." Point-Counterpoint, October 18, 2004Volume 82, Number 42 pp. 40-45.

 

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It's clear that chlorine chemistry is backed by powerful industrial giants. However, it also receives a lot of criticism for its hazardous side effects. Chlorine chemistry releases dioxins, which have been implicated in cancer, immune suppression, and birth defects.