Platinum
Element 78 · Transition Metal
Platinum is a lustrous, malleable metal prized for refusing to react: it resists tarnish, survives strong acids, and keeps its shine indefinitely. That nobility, plus its catalytic talent, makes it one of the most valuable metals.
Its largest use is catalytic converters, which scrub pollutants from exhaust. In medicine, platinum compounds such as cisplatin are cornerstone chemotherapy drugs. It also anchors fuel cells, fine jewelry, and laboratory crucibles.
Key facts
| Atomic number | 78 |
|---|---|
| Atomic weight | 195.08 |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Group / Period | 10 / 6 |
| Block | d |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d9 |
| Common oxidation states | +4, +2 |
| State at STP | Solid |
| Electronegativity | 2.28 |
| Density | 21.45 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1768 °C |
| Boiling point | 3825 °C |
Occurrence
Platinum occurs native in nickel and copper ores, with South Africa and Russia dominating production. It is about thirty times rarer than gold in the crust.
Applications
Catalytic converters
Chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin)
Fine jewelry
Fuel cells and sensors
Common compounds
- platinum(II) chloride
- cisplatin
- platinum dioxide
Platinum's name comes from the Spanish platina, ‘little silver’ — early prospectors considered it a nuisance impurity in silver mines.
Data source: IUPAC standard atomic weights 2021