The elements in group 17 (VIlA) of the periodic table of
elements-fluorine (F), chlorine (CI), bromine (Br), and iodine (I)-were
designated by Berzelius as "halogens" (Greek hals, sea salt; gennao, I
beget) because of their propensity to form salts. In this first of the
two volumes of Bio- chemistry of the Halogens, the biochemistry of the
elemental halogens and inorganic halides is reviewed. Discovery,
properties, and biochemistry of the elemental halogens are reviewed
first (Chapter 1). This is followed by a review of the developments in
the various areas of inorganic halide biochemistry (Chapters 2 through
5). The biochemistry of thyroid hor- mones is considered in Chapter 6,
while biohalogenation, an important link between inorganic and organic
halogen biochemistry, is reviewed in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers the
biochemistry of products produced by human-inspired halogenation, in
particular, poly halogenated compounds that present environmental
problems. In Chapter 9, the process is reversed and biodehalogenation is
reviewed. In each subject, the attempt has been made to find an
appropriate balance between depth and breadth of treatment, since a
thorough, in- depth review of this field would not be possible in a
single volume. To provide readers not familiar with subjects with the
necessary background to place subsequent discussions in perspective,
brief historical develop- ments of many of the topics are given.