The element chlorine was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish pharmacist and chemist, in 1774.
The Discovery of Chlorine
While Carl Wilhelm Scheele is credited with the discovery, it is important to note that he did not initially recognize it as an element. He mistakenly thought it was a compound containing oxygen. Here's a breakdown:
- Scheele's Experiment: In 1774, Scheele produced chlorine by reacting manganese dioxide with hydrochloric acid.
- Initial Misconception: Scheele believed the gas was a compound containing oxygen.
- Later Identification: It wasn't until 1810 that the English chemist Humphry Davy definitively proved that chlorine was an element.
Understanding Chlorine
- Reactivity: Chlorine is known for its high reactivity. According to PubChem, it combines directly with almost every element.
- Natural State: Due to its high reactivity, chlorine is never found in its free form in nature.
| Discoverer | Year | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Wilhelm Scheele | 1774 | First to isolate and describe chlorine gas. |
| Humphry Davy | 1810 | Proved chlorine was an element. |
In conclusion, while Scheele first isolated chlorine, it was Davy who correctly identified it as an element.
