INTRODUCTION
Platinum is relatively rare, chemically inert metallic element which is more valuable than gold. Its silvery-white color inspired its name, which comes from the Spanish and Italian word platina, 'silver.'Impure platinum was used long time ago.
It is the most important of the group of elements called the platinum metals, the other members of which are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, and iridium. Its separation from others was accomplished in the early 19th century.
BASIC INFORMATIONS
- Atomic Number
- 78
- Atomic Mass
- 195.084
- Atomic radius
- 0.129
- Ionization energy
- 870
- Electronic config
- 2,8,18,32,17,1
- Principal Valency
- +2
- Density g/cm³
- 21.41
- Melting point °C
- 1768.3
- Boiling point °C
- 3825
- Type of Element
- Metal
- Electronegativity
- 2.2
- Element Category
- Nickel Group
- Appearance
- silvery white solid
- Block
- d-block
- Period
- 6
- Group
- 10
- No of Isotopes
- 37
- Occurrence
- Alloy form
- Abundance in ppm
- 0.01
- Year of Discovery
- 1745
EXTRACTION
Obtain as concentrates as anode sludge from electrolytic process of its constituent.
OXIDATION STATES
+6,+5,+4,+3,+2,+1,-1,-2,-3 (Mildly acidic)
MAJOR SOURCE
Platinum arsenide
EXAMPLES OF COMPOUND PRESENT
Chloroplatinic acid
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
* Platinum is used for laboratory apparatus, such as crucibles, tongs, funnels, combustion boats, and evaporating dishes.
* Platinum is used for contact points in electrical apparatus and in instruments used for measuring high temperatures.
* platinum used for making jewelry, in which it is often alloyed with gold and also used for dental fillings.
* Finely divided platinum in the form of platinum sponge or platinum black is used extensively as a catalyst in the chemical industry.
