In the field of inorganic chemistry, chloride refers to a salt compound formed by the combination of a negatively charged chloride ion and a positively charged cation of another element. The chloride can also be said to be a compound composed of chlorine and another element or group.

Chloride containing water crystals is mostly colorless crystals (but copper chloride is blue crystal, ferrous chloride is green crystal, ferric chloride is tan crystal); soluble in water (silver chloride and chlorination) Mercury is insoluble, lead chloride is slightly soluble in cold water, and ions are formed, which is also the reason for the conductivity of the chloride solution. Chloride generally has a higher melting point and boiling point (ammonium chloride will "sublimate").