Properties
History
Uses
Uses in Alloys
Where its From/Isotopes
Trasition Metals/Platinum
 Other (glossary, ect.)

Properties

Ruthenium is a hard, shiny, white, metallic element belonging to the transition metals. It has similar properties to platinum metals, which its closely related to. Its symbol is Ru. It has a atomic mass of 101.07 and a density of 13.41 grams per cubic cm. It is not very reactive, and doesn't dissolve in acids. It has the appearence of polished chrome just like platinum.

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History

Ruthenium was first discovered in 1808 by scientist Jedrzej Sniadecki in 1808 through platinum ores in south africa. He and other chemists were unable to prove its existence, and so they moved on. Then it was discovered again by Gottfried W. Osann, but he too could not prove that it existed. Finally, in 1944, a scientist with the name of Karl Klaus proved that it was real (he was able to obatin six grams of it), and he was credited with its discovery. He named it Ruthenium after Russia.

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Uses

Besides for strengthening alloys, Ruthenium does not have many industrial or commercial uses. It can be used as an alternative to electrolysis (to separate compounds.) Ruthenium-106 (an isotope of ruthenium) can be used to cure some types of eye cancer because it gives off beta radiation. Other uses of Ruthenium are rare.

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Uses in Alloys

Ruthenium's main use is a strengthener in alloys. Just adding .1 percent ruthenium to titanium makes it one hundred times less likely to corrode. Its still not very common, and is only used in specific things like medical instruments (because for most things other alloys work fine and are easier to produce). It can also be used to strengthen some types of jewelry, although its quite expensive.

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Where its From/Isotopes

Ruthenium is retrived from platinum ores. Some platinum ores contain Ruthenium and can be refined to extract it. Ruthenium can be found in a few different ways. There are several isotopes of Ruthenium such as the stable Ruthenium-96. Ruthenium-106 is radioactive. Ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) is a deadly gas which is harmful to the eyes, skin and breathing system. There are a few compounds of Ruthenium, but none have any uses.

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The Transition Metals/Platinum

Ruthenium Belongs to the Trasition Metals and has similar properties to platinum. For more information to platinum check out this website:

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Glossary (for a more detailed understanding click the links)

1. Isotope - One of two or more atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers.

2. Atomic Mass - The mass of an atom, usually expressed in atomic mass units.

3. Beta Radiation - Radiation of beta particles during radioactive decay.

4. Karl Klaus - The scientist responsible fot the discovery of Ruthenium.

5. Alloy - A mixture of two or more metals.

6 Electrolysis - A way of splitting up compounds.

 

Bibliography


Newton, David E. Chemical Elements. Vol. 3.


"Ruthenium Tetroxide and Other Ruthenium Compounds." SpringerLink Home. <http://www.springerlink.com/content/n265k571444pw788/>.


"Ruthenium." University of California. 05 Mar. 2009 <http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/44.html>.


Swertika, Albert. A guide to the Elements. Oxford UP, 2002.


Taylor, Craig R. "Ruthenium." World Book Encyclopedia.


Tojo, Gabriel, and Marcos I. Fernandez. Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids A Guide to Current Common Practice (Basic Reactions in Organic Synthesis). New York: Springer, 2006.

 

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