Difference between revisions of "Chlorine"
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Chlorine is very common inside the human body in the form of free solvated ions (salt). | Chlorine is very common inside the human body in the form of free solvated ions (salt). | ||
| − | Interestingly albeit chlorine can form very strong bonds to carbon these bonds are not used by biological systems. | + | Interestingly albeit chlorine can form very strong bonds to carbon these bonds are not used by biological systems (akin to [[phosphorus]]). |
Conversely when carbon is burnt in conjunction with chlorine these direct covalent carbon chlorine bonds can form and create chlorinated organic compoounds which are highly toxic (those are among others the infamous dioxines [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_dibenzodioxins]). This is why PVC plastic is mostly banned. | Conversely when carbon is burnt in conjunction with chlorine these direct covalent carbon chlorine bonds can form and create chlorinated organic compoounds which are highly toxic (those are among others the infamous dioxines [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_dibenzodioxins]). This is why PVC plastic is mostly banned. | ||
Revision as of 12:24, 7 October 2016
Chlorine is pretty abundant and also accessible (sea water).
Chlorine + carbon = bad
Chlorine is very common inside the human body in the form of free solvated ions (salt). Interestingly albeit chlorine can form very strong bonds to carbon these bonds are not used by biological systems (akin to phosphorus). Conversely when carbon is burnt in conjunction with chlorine these direct covalent carbon chlorine bonds can form and create chlorinated organic compoounds which are highly toxic (those are among others the infamous dioxines [1]). This is why PVC plastic is mostly banned.
Atomically precise technology products can trap chlorine
Similarly in advanced atomically precise technology combining high amounts of both carbon and chlorine might be a bad idea (small traces should be ok). But if enough silicon or metals are present in the product to make the product incombustible high concentrations of chlorine might be less of a problem. Sodium could be included such that even if to near evaporation temperatures the chlorine does not outgass. Note that incombustible products may be harder to recycle.
Details
Chlorine is of special value since in benign chemical environments it features exactly one covalent bond (just like hydrogen and fluorine) and can thus be used to plug open dangling bonds closed. Chlorine is a lot bigger than hydrogen so the shape of the surface passivation layer can be adjusted replacing hydrogen.
