Platinum metals, also known as the platinum group metals (PGMs), are a group of six transition metals that include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. These metals are known for their excellent catalytic properties and resistance to wear and tarnish.
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Platinum metals are found in the Earth's crust primarily in nickel and copper ores but can also be found in alluvial deposits.
The extraction of platinum metals involves complex processes including flotation, smelting, and refining.
Platinum is used extensively in catalytic converters for automobiles due to its ability to convert toxic gases into less harmful substances.
Rhodium is the rarest and most expensive of the platinum metals due to its high reflectivity and corrosion resistance.
These metals exhibit unique chemical properties such as high melting points, strong resistance to oxidation, and exceptional stability.
Review Questions
What are the six transition metals classified as platinum group metals?
Describe one primary industrial use of platinum metal.
Why is rhodium considered more valuable compared to other platinum metals?
Related terms
Catalytic Converter: A device incorporated in the exhaust system of vehicles that uses catalysts like platinum to reduce harmful emissions.
Oxidation State: A measure of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a substance; important when studying the chemistry of transition elements including platinum metals.
Electroplating: A process that uses electrical current to reduce dissolved metal cations so that they form a coherent metal coating on an electrode; often used with platinum-group metals for corrosion-resistant coatings.