Nonmetallic chemical element , chemical symbol Br, atomic number 35.
One of the halogen s, it is a deep red, fuming liquid at ordinary temperatures (freezing point 19 kF [-7.2 kC]; boiling point 138 kF [59 kC]) that contains diatomic molecules (Br 2 ), and it does not occur free in nature. It is obtained from seawater and brines or salt beds. Extremely irritating and toxic, bromine is a strong oxidizing agent (see oxidation-reduction ). Its compounds, in which it may have valence 1, 3, 5, or 7, have many uses, including as petroleum additives (ethylene dibromide), in photographic emulsion s (silver bromide), as sedatives, and in flour (potassium bromate).