Periodic TableAll elementsPlatinum
No. 078
Pt
195.08 u
Element · Transition Metal

Platinum

Platinum (铂, symbol Pt) is chemical element number 78, a Transition Metal in period 6, group 10 of the periodic table, with a standard atomic weight of about 195.08. Dense, malleable, precious metal. Used in jewelry, catalytic converters, and laboratory equipment.

Period 6Group 10[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹ 6s¹

Properties

Atomic number78
SymbolPt
Atomic mass195.08 u
CategoryTransition Metal
Period6
Group10
Electron configuration[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹ 6s¹
Electronegativity2.28
Covalent radius136 pm
Density21.45 g/cm³
Melting point2041.4 K
Boiling point4098 K
DiscoveryAntonio de Ulloa, 1735

Overview

Dense, malleable, precious metal. Used in jewelry, catalytic converters, and laboratory equipment. Platinum (Pt) is a Transition Metal with atomic number 78, located in period 6, group 10. As a transition metal it commonly shows several oxidation states, forms coloured compounds, and is widely used in catalysts and alloys.

It has the configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁹ 6s¹ and an electronegativity near 2.28; its 1 outer-shell electron drives its bonding. Under standard conditions it exists as a solid (a very high melting point); it melts near 2041.4 K (1768.3 °C), boils near 4098 K (3824.9 °C), has a density around 21.45 g/cm³.

It is widely used in Catalysis, Precious Metal and Medical / Pharma. It was first described by Antonio de Ulloa in 1735. Use the comparison tool to line it up against other elements.

Electron shells

Pt78

Electrons per shell: 2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 17 · 1

Main uses

Hazard

LowNo special hazard flags.

Compounds containing Platinum

No compounds in this knowledge base contain Platinum yet.

Data sources

Atomic mass uses IUPAC (CIAAW) standard atomic weights; the covalent radius is from Cordero et al. (2008). Verify on the RSC Periodic Table, PubChem and Wikipedia. Educational reference only.