Platinum (Pt)

Silvery-white metal

Platinum is the precious metal of catalytic converters, cancer drugs, and the most dense currency, and with the anomalous [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹ 6s¹ configuration, platinum is the best catalyst for converting exhaust gases. Cisplatin (PtCl₂(NH₃)₂) is one of the most effective chemotherapy drugs, used in 50% of cancer treatments.

Key metrics

Density21.45g/cm³

Melting point2,041K

Boiling point4,098K

Electronegativity2.28Pauling

Discovery

1735discovered

Discovered by: Antonio de Ulloa
Reactivity profile: Excellent catalyst
Reactivity: Low
Bonding: Metallic

Electron configuration

\textcolor{#6b7280}{[Xe]}\; \textcolor{#a855f7}{4_{f}^{14}}\; \textcolor{#22c55e}{5_{d}^{9}}\; \textcolor{#ef4444}{6_{s}^{1}}

[Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1

Wave function

\Psi_{\text{Pt}} \approx \frac{1}{\sqrt{78!}} \det \left| \chi_1(\mathbf{r}_1) \dots \chi_{78}(\mathbf{r}_{78}) \right|

Probability density $|\Psi|^2$ across the Pt valence shell.

Crystal structure

Face-Centered Cubic

Lattice constantsa = 1.00

Cell anglesα = β = γ = 90°

Coordination number12

Atoms per cell4

Atomic packing factor0.74

Physical properties

Atomic radius: 139 pm
Ionization energy: 870 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 205 kJ/mol
Crystal structure: Face-centered cubic (fcc)

Oxidation states

+2+4

Acid/base

Neutral

Strongly acidicStrongly basic

State at 25 °CSolid

2041 K4098 K298 K

Emission spectrum

3 transitions

380450500550600650700780

VioletBlueGreenYellowRed

364.5nmPt I (UV)UV70%

404.6nmPt I (violet)Violet100%

441.7nmPt I (blue)Violet50%

Dominant line 404.6 nmRange 365–442 nmTransitions 3