The chemistry of precious metals—primarily the (platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium) along with gold and silver —is defined by their remarkable resistance to corrosion, high density, and unique electronic configurations.
) are central to modern solar energy conversion and light-driven organic synthesis due to their long-lived excited states. Summary Table Key Property Common Use Extreme malleability; Relativistic color Electronics, Jewelry, Nanomedicine Silver (Ag) Highest thermal/electrical conductivity Photography (historically), Antimicrobials Palladium (Pd) Hydrogen "sponge" Hydrogenation, Catalytic converters Platinum (Pt) High melting point; Bio-compatibility Chemotherapy, Fuel cells Rhodium (Rh) Extreme corrosion resistance NOxcap N cap O sub x reduction in vehicles
ions act as complexing agents to stabilize the metal in solution as 3. Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis
Notable for reaching very high oxidation states. Osmium tetroxide ( OsO4cap O s cap O sub 4 ) features Os in the +8positive 8 state and is a powerful (though toxic) oxidizing agent. 5. Emerging Applications: Photochemistry and Medicine Cancer Treatment: Cisplatin (
The chemistry of precious metals—primarily the (platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium) along with gold and silver —is defined by their remarkable resistance to corrosion, high density, and unique electronic configurations.
) are central to modern solar energy conversion and light-driven organic synthesis due to their long-lived excited states. Summary Table Key Property Common Use Extreme malleability; Relativistic color Electronics, Jewelry, Nanomedicine Silver (Ag) Highest thermal/electrical conductivity Photography (historically), Antimicrobials Palladium (Pd) Hydrogen "sponge" Hydrogenation, Catalytic converters Platinum (Pt) High melting point; Bio-compatibility Chemotherapy, Fuel cells Rhodium (Rh) Extreme corrosion resistance NOxcap N cap O sub x reduction in vehicles Chemistry of Precious Metals
ions act as complexing agents to stabilize the metal in solution as 3. Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis Relativistic color Electronics
Notable for reaching very high oxidation states. Osmium tetroxide ( OsO4cap O s cap O sub 4 ) features Os in the +8positive 8 state and is a powerful (though toxic) oxidizing agent. 5. Emerging Applications: Photochemistry and Medicine Cancer Treatment: Cisplatin ( Chemistry of Precious Metals