Is Chlorine a Metal or a Nonmetal? (+ 3 Facts to Know)

Chlorine is a nonmetal and belongs to the halogen group in the periodic table. ¹ Chlorine is a reactive element that can form compounds with other elements, such as sodium chloride (table salt). ²

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is chlorine a nonmetal?

Chlorine is a nonmetal because it lacks the physical and chemical properties typically associated with metals.

Nonmetals are located on the right side of the periodic table and generally have lower melting and boiling points, are poor conductors of heat and electricity, and have a tendency to gain electrons in chemical reactions. ³

In contrast, metals are typically located on the left and center of the periodic table, have high melting and boiling points, are good conductors of heat and electricity, and tend to lose electrons in chemical reactions. ⁴

Chlorine is a highly reactive gas that exists in nature as a diatomic molecule (Cl2). It has a relatively low melting and boiling point, which are both well below room temperature. ⁵

It is also a poor conductor of heat and electricity, and tends to gain electrons to form negatively charged ions in chemical reactions, such as when it reacts with metals to form ionic compounds. ⁶

Overall, the physical and chemical properties of chlorine place it firmly in the nonmetal category of elements.

Nonmetallic properties that chlorine have

Here is a list of some important properties of chlorine:

• Physical state: Chlorine is a pale yellow-green gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
• Odor: Chlorine has a sharp, suffocating odor, which can be detected even at low concentrations. ⁷
• Density: Chlorine is denser than air and has a density of about 3.2 grams per liter at room temperature. ⁸
• Melting point: Chlorine has a low melting point of -101.5°C (-150.7°F), which means it exists as a gas at room temperature.
• Boiling point: Chlorine has a low boiling point of -34.6°C (-30.3°F), which means it boils at a relatively low temperature. ⁹
• Solubility: Chlorine is moderately soluble in water and forms an acidic solution due to the formation of hydrochloric acid. ¹⁰
• Reactivity: Chlorine is highly reactive and can readily form compounds with other elements, particularly metals.
• Toxicity: Chlorine is highly toxic and can be dangerous if inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with the skin. ^{11 12}
• Bleaching action: Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent and can bleach colored materials by breaking down pigments. ¹³
• Disinfectant: Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant for water treatment and sanitation purposes.

Each of these properties plays a significant role in the behavior and applications of chlorine. 

For example, its physical state and reactivity make it an ideal disinfectant, while its toxicity and bleaching action require it to be handled with care. 

The solubility and boiling point of chlorine also affect its behavior in various chemical reactions.

Can chlorine form metallic bonds with other elements?

No, chlorine cannot form metallic bonds with other elements. Metallic bonding is a type of bonding that occurs between metals, where the valence electrons are free to move and are not associated with any specific atom. 

Chlorine, on the other hand, is a nonmetal and forms covalent bonds with other nonmetals or ionic bonds with metals.

In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells and form stable molecules. ¹⁴ In the case of chlorine, it typically forms covalent bonds with other nonmetals such as hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon to form a variety of compounds. For example, when chlorine reacts with hydrogen, they form hydrogen chloride, a covalent compound with a polar covalent bond. ¹⁵

In ionic bonding, electrons are transferred from one atom to another to form ions with opposite charges, which then attract each other to form an ionic compound. ¹⁶ Chlorine can also form ionic bonds with metals such as sodium and potassium, where it accepts an electron from the metal to form a negatively charged chloride ion.

So, in summary, chlorine cannot form metallic bonds because it is a nonmetal, and metallic bonding occurs only between metals.

How does chlorine differ from other halogens?

Chlorine is one of the five halogens, which are a group of elements in the periodic table that includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. 

While all halogens share some similar properties, there are several ways in which chlorine differs from the other halogens:

• Physical state: Chlorine is a pale yellow-green gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, while fluorine is a pale yellow gas and bromine is a reddish-brown liquid. Iodine and astatine are both solid at room temperature, with iodine forming purple-black crystals and astatine being a dark, metallic-looking solid.
• Electronegativity: Chlorine has a lower electronegativity than fluorine, which means it is less reactive and less likely to form chemical bonds with other elements. In contrast, fluorine has the highest electronegativity of all the elements and is highly reactive. ¹⁷
• Reactivity with metals: Chlorine is less reactive than fluorine and is not as likely to react explosively with metals. Bromine and iodine are less reactive than chlorine and are also less likely to react with metals, while astatine is too rare and unstable to have many known reactions. ¹⁸
• Boiling and melting points: The boiling and melting points of the halogens increase as you go down the group. ¹⁹ Chlorine has a lower boiling and melting point than bromine and iodine, while fluorine has the lowest boiling and melting point of all the halogens.
• Uses: Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant and for water treatment, while fluorine is used in the production of fluorocarbons and other industrial compounds. ^{20 21} Bromine is used in flame retardants, while iodine is used in medical applications and in the production of dyes. ^{22 23}

Overall, while all halogens share some similar properties, the specific physical and chemical properties of each halogen can differ significantly. Chlorine, in particular, differs from the other halogens in its physical state, reactivity, and uses.

Further reading

Is Argon a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Potassium a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Calcium a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Titanium a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Chromium a Metal or Nonmetal? 

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