Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-03-06 18:58:03 UTC
Update Date2026-05-14 19:43:09 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM000084
Identification
Common NameChloride ion
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionIn nature, chlorine is most abundant as a chloride ion. Physiologically, it exists as an ion in the body. The chloride ion is an essential anion that the body needs for many critical functions. Chloride is a prominent negatively charged ion of the blood, where it represents 70% of the body’s total negative ion content. On average, an adult human body contains approximately 115 grams of chloride, making up about 0.15% of total body weight. The suggested amount of chloride intake ranges from 750 to 900 milligrams per day, based on the fact that total obligatory loss of chloride in the average person is close to 530 milligrams per day. Chloride helps keep the body's acid-base balance. The amount of chloride in the blood is carefully controlled by the kidneys. In addition to its functions as an electrolyte, chloride combines with hydrogen in the stomach to make hydrochloric acid, a powerful digestive enzyme that is responsible for the break down of proteins, absorption of other metallic minerals, and activation of intrinsic factor, which in turn absorbs vitamin B12. Chloride ions also have other important physiological roles. For instance, in the central nervous system, the inhibitory action of glycine and some of the action of GABA relies on the entry of Cl- into specific neurons. Also, the chloride-bicarbonate exchanger biological transport protein relies on the chloride ion to increase the blood's capacity of carbon dioxide, in the form of the bicarbonate ion. Chloride-transporting proteins (CLC) play fundamental roles in many tissues in the plasma membrane as well as in intracellular membranes. CLC proteins form a gene family that comprises nine members in mammals, at least four of which are involved in human genetic diseases. GABA(A) receptors are pentameric complexes that function as ligand-gated chloride ion channels. WNK kinases are a family of serine-threonine kinases that have been shown to play an essential role in the regulation of electrolyte homeostasis, and they are found in diverse epithelia throughout the body that are involved in chloride ion flux. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by alterations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTCR) gene that result in deranged sodium and chloride ion transport channels. (1, 2, 3, 4, 6).
Contaminant Sources
  • FooDB Chemicals
  • HMDB Contaminants - Urine
  • T3DB toxins
Contaminant Type
  • Halogen
  • Inorganic Compound
  • Natural Compound
Chemical Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
ValueSource
Chloride(1-)ChEBI
Chlorine anionChEBI
CL(-)ChEBI
ChlorideKegg
BertholiteHMDB
ChloorHMDB
ChlorHMDB
ChloreHMDB
ChlorineHMDB
Chlorine gasHMDB
ClHMDB
Cl2HMDB
Diatomic chlorineHMDB
DichlorineHMDB
Molecular chlorineHMDB
Chloride ion levelHMDB
Ion level, chlorideHMDB
ChloridesHMDB
Level, chloride ionHMDB
MSR-1 Protein, nicotiana plumbaginifoliaHMDB
PLS216 Protein, nicotiana plumbaginifoliaHMDB
Chemical FormulaCl
Average Molecular Mass35.453 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass34.969 g/mol
CAS Registry Number22537-115-1
IUPAC Namechloride
Traditional Namechloride
SMILES[Cl-]
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/ClH/h1H/p-1
InChI KeyVEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous halogens. These are inorganic non-metallic compounds in which the largest atom is a nobel gas.
KingdomInorganic compounds
Super ClassHomogeneous non-metal compounds
ClassHomogeneous halogens
Sub ClassNot Available
Direct ParentHomogeneous halogens
Alternative ParentsNot Available
Substituents
  • Homogeneous halogen
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginEndogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue Locations
  • All Tissues
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological Roles
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateSolid or Liquid
AppearanceClear liquid
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting PointDepends on salt form
Boiling PointDepends on salt form
Solubility>500 mg/mL at 25°C [AMOORE,JE & HAUTALA,E (1983)]
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
logP0.61ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Acidic)-7ChemAxon
Physiological Charge-1ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count0ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area0 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity5.62 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability2.39 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleYesChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-00di-0009000000-6fb9c471131023c432dfSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - 30V, Positivesplash10-00di-0009000000-81a678b03172c0d73abfSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-00di-0009000000-5df8560ed945712b8481Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-00di-0009000000-80bd16051562ea5ee2b7Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - 50V, Positivesplash10-0a4i-0009000000-cf0884f0a8324da15f74Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-000i-9000000000-c4fb3d037fe2e74c2a5eSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-000i-9000000000-c4fb3d037fe2e74c2a5eSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-000i-9000000000-c4fb3d037fe2e74c2a5eSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-001i-9000000000-d488e6da5c7ecb77869aSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-001i-9000000000-d488e6da5c7ecb77869aSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-001i-9000000000-d488e6da5c7ecb77869aSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-001i-9000000000-c2fa753da65a4bac80a1Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-001i-9000000000-c2fa753da65a4bac80a1Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-001i-9000000000-c2fa753da65a4bac80a1Spectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureInhalation (10) ; dermal (10)
Mechanism of ToxicityChloride imbalances can lead to electrolyte and pH imbalances. Excessive chloride in the blood is known as hyperchloremia. Often hyperchloremia is associated with excessive intakes of dietary chloride, which only occur with the ingestion of large amounts of salt and potassium chloride (hypernatremia). Hyperchloremia can also occur due to loss of body fluids from prolonged vomiting, sweating or fever, kidney failure, kidney disorders or diabetes. The amount of chloride in the blood is carefully controlled by the kidneys. Chloride toxicity has not been observed in humans except in the special case of impaired sodium chloride metabolism, e.g. in congestive heart failure.
MetabolismIn humans, 88% of chloride is extracellular and contributes to the osmotic activity of body fluids. The electrolyte balance in the body is maintained by adjusting total dietary intake and by excretion via the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Chloride is almost completely absorbed in normal individuals, mostly from the proximal half of the small intestine. Normal fluid loss amounts to about 1.5–2 litres/day, together with about 4 g of chloride per day. Most (90– 95%) is excreted in the urine, with minor amounts in faeces (4–8%) and sweat (2%). A normal adult human body contains approximately 81.7 g chloride. On the basis of a total obligatory loss of chloride of approximately 530 mg/day, a dietary intake for adults of 9 mg of chloride per kg of body weight has been recommended.
Toxicity ValuesNot Available
Lethal DoseEstimated fatal dose of sodium chloride and other chloride salts is approximately 0.75 to 3.00 g/kg
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity (not listed by IARC). (7)
Uses/SourcesChloride is found in table salt as well as most foods. Chloride is an essential element or micronutrient and helps keep the body’s electrolyte balance.
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsThe oral ingestion of larger quantities of sodium chloride, eg 1000 g in 600 mL of water, is harmful and can induce irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, vomiting, hypernatremia, respiratory distress, convulsions, and death. Hyperchloremia can also occur due to loss of body fluids from prolonged vomiting, sweating or fever, kidney failure, kidney disorders or diabetes. Hyperchloremia is associated with deep and labored breathing, weakness, and intense thirst. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by alterations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTCR) gene that result in deranged sodium and chloride ion transport channels. This leads to the production of very salty sweat and the excessive production of mucous in the lungs. More than 100 genetic diseases or inborn errors of metabolism are associated with electrolyte (i.e. chloride) imbalances.
SymptomsHyperchloremia can be symptomatic with signs of deep and labored breathing (often associated with severe metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) but also renal failure), weakness, and intense thirst.
TreatmentAs with most types of electrolyte imbalance, the treatment of high blood chloride levels is based on correcting the underlying cause. If the patient is dehydrated, therapy consists of establishing and maintaining adequate hydration. If the condition is caused or exacerbated by medications or treatments, these may be altered or discontinued, if deemed prudent. If there is underlying kidney disease (which is likely if there are other electrolyte disturbances), then the patient will be referred to a nephrologist for further care. If there is an underlying dysfunction of the endocrine or hormone system, the patient will likely be referred to an endocrinologist for further assessment.
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDHMDB0000492
FooDB IDFDB006557
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG ID50130
BioCyc IDCL-
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkChloride
Chemspider ID4514529
ChEBI ID17996
PubChem Compound ID312
Kegg Compound IDC00698
YMDB IDYMDB01517
ECMDB IDECMDB04037
References
Synthesis ReferenceWeber, Rainer; Bulan, Andreas; Haas, Michel; Warsitz, Rafael; Werner, Knud. Production of chlorine from hydrogen chloride and oxygen. PCT Int. Appl. (2007), 30pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2007134861 A1 20071129 CAN 148:35931 AN 2007:1361621
MSDSLink
General References
1. Park, Y. W; Juárez, Manuela ; Ramos, M.; Haenlein, G. F. W.. Physico-chemical characteristics of goat and sheep milk. Small Ruminant Res.(2007) 68:88-113 doi: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.09.013
2. Weber, Rainer; Bulan, Andreas; Haas, Michel; Warsitz, Rafael; Werner, Knud. Production of chlorine from hydrogen chloride and oxygen. PCT Int. Appl. (2007), 30pp. CODEN: PIXXD2 WO 2007134861 A1 20071129 CAN 148:35931 AN 2007:1361621
3. Fainsinger RL: Palliative care in Edmonton. Support Care Cancer. 1995 Mar;3(2):91-2.
4. Zifarelli G, Pusch M: CLC chloride channels and transporters: a biophysical and physiological perspective. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol. 2007;158:23-76.
5. Tarran R, Donaldson S, Boucher RC: Rationale for hypertonic saline therapy for cystic fibrosis lung disease. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2007 Jun;28(3):295-302.
6. Kahle KT, Wilson FH, Lalioti M, Toka H, Qin H, Lifton RP: WNK kinases: molecular regulators of integrated epithelial ion transport. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2004 Sep;13(5):557-62.
7. Harrison NL: Mechanisms of sleep induction by GABA(A) receptor agonists. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;68 Suppl 5:6-12.
8. Evans RB: Chlorine: state of the art. Lung. 2005 May-Jun;183(3):151-67.