Group 7: Halogens
Read our general notes on Risk Assessment
I know that Hydrogen Halides react with Ammonia to form dense white fumes, but I am confused as to whether or not Halogens on their own will do the same thing?
Ulex replies
Yes, the halogens themselves do ‘fume’ with ammonia. There are several reasons for this.
Firstly, taking chlorine as the example, halogens react with any moisture present to give some hydrogen chloride (and HClO) ; the HCl reacts with ammonia.
Secondly, chlorine reacts with ammonia directly to give a mixture of products, one of which is HCl which then reacts with more ammonia to give the white fumes.
The other halogens behave in a somewhat similar way, though the actual reactions with iodine are different and are seldom seen because it is a solid at room temperature.
Risk assessment
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updated: 16 December 2006
