The group of chemical elements in group VIIA of the Periodic Table; specifically Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine. These elements are diatomic molecules in their natural form. They require one more electron to fill their outer electron shells, and so have a tendency to form a singly-charged negative ion. This negative ion is referred to as a halide ion; salts containing these ions are known as halides.
Many synthetic [organic compounds]?, and a few natural ones, contain halogen atoms; these are known as halogenated compounds.
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