Montpellier, France/montpellier080
Previous | Home | Next"How did Balard discover bromine in 1826?"
Balard was brought to the discovery of bromine by his initial studies of Fucus (coastal brown algae) and the action of chlorine water on its ashes. The bottom part of the reaction solution gave a blue coloration with starch paper (the usual test for iodide) but there was a much more intense yellowish color throughout the solution. Then the concentrated salt solutions (mother liquors) of the salt marshes were tested, and they reacted similarly. There was a strong yellow color and odor which disappeared after a few days exposure to the air. Various reagents removed the color and odor, which could be restored by reacting again with chlorine.
"Prèmiere méthode de préparation" ("First method of preparation") used the same method used in the table montage shown above, which utilizes the distillation of bromine over into a ice-salt bath.
