In a message dated 2/5/02 12:54:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Sodium chloride, which is our main subject, is a molecule consisting of an
> atom of sodium and an atom of chlorine which in themselves are elements

chlorine and chloride are the same---plus or minus an explosion! regardless
of the book or author, my comment stands as stated, these are not
interchangeable in language or organic chemistry.
This may not be convincing, but much of the discourse is not consistent but
aimed at arguments that fit. Saying that any compound containing chloride
contains chlorine is an oversimplification that adds more confusion than
clarity.