Answer:
Bromine is the only nonmetallic liquid element. It is a heavy, mobile, reddish-brown liquid, volatilizing readily at room temperature to a red vapor with a strong disagreeable odor, resembling chlorine, and having a very irritating effect on the eyes and throat; it is readily soluble in water or carbon disulfide, forming a red solution, is less active than chlorine but more so than iodine.
It unites readily with many elements and has a bleaching action; when spilled on the skin it produces painful sores. It presents a serious health hazard, and maximum safety precautions should be taken when handling it.
Much of the bromine output in the U.S. was used in the production of ethylene dibromide, a lead scavenger used in making gasoline anti-knock compounds. Lead in gasoline, however, has been drastically reduced due to environmental considerations. This will greatly affect future production of bromine.
Bromine is used in making fumigants, flameproofing agents, water purification compounds, dyes, medicines, sanitizers, inorganic bromides for photography,etc.
Organic bromides are also important.
Bromine is prepared by a method which comprises contacting hydrogen peroxide with an aqueous solution containing bromide ion and rapidly removing the bromine as it is formed. This method is particularly suitable for obtaining bromine from seawater, using the conventional intermediate, bromosulfuric solution.