Chlorine vs. Chloride — What's the Difference?

A greenish-yellow gas at room temperature.

An ion of chlorine that has gained an electron.

Used in water treatment.

Less reactive than chlorine.

A strong oxidizing agent.

Commonly found in ionic compounds.

A chemical element with the symbol Cl.

Often present in biological systems.

A member of the halogen group.

Typically odorless and tasteless.

Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between them.

The chloride ion is the anion (negatively charged ion) Cl−. It is formed when the element chlorine (a halogen) gains an electron or when a compound such as hydrogen chloride is dissolved in water or other polar solvents.

A highly irritating, greenish-yellow halogen element, existing as a diatomic gas, Cl2, and capable of combining with nearly all other elements, produced principally by electrolysis of sodium chloride and used widely to disinfect water, as a bleaching agent, and in the manufacture of many important compounds including chlorates, sodium hypochlorite, and chloroform. Atomic number 17; atomic weight 35.453; freezing point -100.5°C; boiling point -34.04°C; specific gravity 1.56 (-33.6°C); valence 1, 3, 5, 7. See Periodic Table.

Univalent anionic chlorine, or a compound of chlorine, especially a binary compound of chlorine with a more electropositive element.

A toxic, green, gaseous chemical element (symbol Cl) with an atomic number of 17.

(chemistry) any salt of hydrochloric acid, such as sodium chloride, or any binary compound of chlorine and another element or radical

(countable) A single atom of this element.

A binary compound of chlorine with another element or radical; as, chloride of sodium (common salt).

One of the elementary substances, commonly isolated as a greenish yellow gas, two and one half times as heavy as air, of an intensely disagreeable suffocating odor, and exceedingly poisonous. It is abundant in nature, the most important compound being common salt (Sodium chloride). It is powerful oxidizing, bleaching, and disinfecting agent. Symbol Cl. Atomic weight, 35.4.

Any compound containing a chlorine atom

A common nonmetallic element belonging to the halogens; best known as a heavy yellow irritating toxic gas; used to purify water and as a bleaching agent and disinfectant; occurs naturally only as a salt (as in sea water)

Any salt of hydrochloric acid (containing the chloride ion)

Chlorine is a chemical element, while Chloride is its ionized form.

Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17.

Chloride is an ion formed when chlorine gains an electron.

Chlorine is highly reactive and can be hazardous in high concentrations.

Yes, chlorine exists primarily as a gas under standard conditions.

Chloride is often found in solid compounds like sodium chloride.

Chlorine is used in water treatment, manufacturing, and as an oxidizing agent.

Yes, chlorine has a strong, distinct odor.

No, chloride ions are typically odorless.

Yes, chlorine is commonly used for disinfection and cleaning.

Chloride is generally less reactive and less harmful than chlorine.

No, they have different properties and are used in different contexts.

Chloride is commonly found in table salt and in biological systems.

Yes, chloride is commonly found in table salt, which is used in food.

No, chlorine is the elemental form, and chloride is the ionized form.