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Ruthenium

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Identification
Molecular formula
Ru
CAS number
7440-18-8
IUPAC name
ruthenium
State
State

At room temperature, ruthenium is in a solid metallic state. It remains stable in its solid form under normal conditions and does not react with water, air, or acid easily, which contributes to its utility in various industrial applications.

Melting point (Celsius)
2 334.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
2 607.00
Boiling point (Celsius)
4 150.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
4 423.00
General information
Molecular weight
101.07g/mol
Molar mass
101.0700g/mol
Density
12.4500g/cm3
Appearence

Ruthenium is a hard, lustrous, silvery-white metal. It is a transition metal in the platinum group, and it shares many of the common characteristics of this group, including the relatively high hardness. Ruthenium does not tarnish at room temperature, making it highly stable.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Ruthenium

Ruthenium (Ru) is a transition metal that exhibits unique solubility characteristics:

  • Limited Solubility: Ruthenium is generally insoluble in water and most common solvents, primarily due to its dense metallic structure.
  • Solvents: It shows variable solubility in some acidic and alkaline solutions. For instance, nitric acid can dissolve ruthenium to form Ru(NO3)3.
  • Solid State: In its solid form, ruthenium tends to form a variety of compounds that may possess better solubility in specific solvents.

To illustrate:

  • With strong acids: Ruthenium may form complex ions which increases its solubility in those environments.
  • In organometallic chemistry: Some ruthenium complexes are soluble in organic solvents, further expanding its potential applications.

In summary, while elemental ruthenium is largely insoluble in typical solvents, it does exhibit solubility in certain specialized conditions, particularly in the presence of strong acids or as part of complexed compounds. Understanding these solubility characteristics is crucial for its application in diverse fields such as catalysis and materials science.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts About Ruthenium

Ruthenium is a fascinating transition metal that belongs to the platinum group elements (PGEs). With the atomic number 44, it plays a crucial role in various chemical and industrial applications:

  • Discovery: Ruthenium was discovered in 1844 by the Russian chemist Karl Klaus. It was named after Ruthenia, the latin name for Russia.
  • Occurrence: This rare element is typically found in ores of other platinum group metals and is often isolated as a byproduct of nickel and platinum refining!
  • Catalyst: Ruthenium is an important catalyst in numerous reactions, including organic transformations and hydrogenation processes, enhancing the efficiency of chemical reactions.
  • Photography: Historically, ruthenium compounds were used in the photographic industry, particularly in improving the quality of photographic prints.
  • Electronic Applications: Due to its excellent electrical conductivity and stability, ruthenium is used in the manufacturing of electronic components, especially in the form of thin films.
  • Biological Role: Although not a nutrient, some studies suggest that ruthenium compounds might possess antibacterial properties, paving the way for potential medical applications.

With its diverse applications and unique properties, ruthenium continues to capture the interest of scientists and chemists alike. As one of the lesser-known elements, it holds potential for future discoveries in both academia and industry.

Synonyms
RUTHENIUM
7440-18-8
RU
UNII-7UI0TKC3U5
7UI0TKC3U5
CCRIS 9434
RUTHENIUM METAL
EINECS 231-127-1
DTXSID9064687
DTXCID1047651
231-127-1
Ruthenium on carbon
ruthenium atom
Ruthenium black
rutenio
Ruthenium powder, -325 mesh
MFCD00011207
Ruthenium 5% on Carbon (wetted with ca. 50% Water)
Ruthenium alumina
Ruthenium 5% on carbon
Ruthenium Standard: Ru @ 1000 microg/mL in 20% HCl
Ruthenium Standard: Ru @ 10000 microg/mL in 20% HCl
Rutherium black
ruthenium/carbon
ruthenium/silica
ruthenium-alumina
Ru on alumina
Ru on carbon
rutheniumon carbon
Ruthenium Nanofoil
Ruthenium Nanorods
Ruthenium Nanowires
ruthenium-on-carbon
Ruthenium on alumina
ruthenium pentahydride
Ru/C
Ruthenium powder, 3N
Ruthenium powder, 3N5
RUTHENIUM [MI]
5% Ruthenium on Carbon
Ruthenium, 5% on carbon
44Ru
Ruthenium, 5% on alumina
Ruthenium, powder 20 Mesh
Ruthenium sponge, -20 mesh
Ruthenium, 0.5% on carbon
Ruthenium, 0.5% on alumina
Ruthenium powder, -200 mesh
Ruthenium nanopowder (20 nm)
CHEBI:30682
Ruthenium black, 99.9%, 3N
Ruthenium powder, 99.9%, 3N
Ruthenium, 1% on granular carbon
Ruthenium powder, 99.99%, 4N
MFCD03458417
Ruthenium, 0.5% on granular carbon
AKOS015924307
Ruthenium powder, -22 mesh, Premion
HY-W020867
Lead Fluoride (PbF2) Sputtering Targets
Ruthenium powder, -200 mesh, Premion?
CS-0035137
NS00076471
Q1086
R0076
Ruthenium, powder, 99.99% trace metals basis
A838114
Ruthenium - Ru @ 1000 microg/mL in 20% HCl
Ruthenium, 4% on 6.35mm (0.25in) alumina rings
Ruthenium, 2% on 3.18mm (0.125in) alumina pellets
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, bar, 25mm x 2mm x 2mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, bar, 50mm x 2mm x 2mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium on carbon, extent of labeling: 5 wt. % loading
Ruthenium, powder, -200 mesh, 99.9% trace metals basis
Ruthenium, sponge, -100 mesh, 99.9% trace metals basis
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, foil, 6x6mm, thickness 1.0mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, pellets, 2.5g, max. size 10mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, pellets, 5g, max. size 10mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, rod, 12.7mm, diameter 12.7mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, foil, 10x10mm, thickness 1.0mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, foil, 25x25mm, thickness 1.0mm, 99.9%
Ruthenium, lump, 10 mm max. lump size, weight 2.5 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium on alumina, extent of labeling: 0.5 wt. % loading, pellets, 3.2 mm
Ruthenium on alumina, extent of labeling: 5 wt. % loading, powder, Degussa type H213 R/D
Ruthenium on alumina, extent of labeling: 5 wt. % loading, powder, reduced, dry
Ruthenium standard for AAS, analytical standard, ready-to-use, in hydrochloric acid
Ruthenium, powder, 850 max. part. size (micron), weight 1 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium, powder, max. particle size 450 micron, weight 1 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium, powder, max. particle size 450 micron, weight 10 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium, powder, max. particle size 450 micron, weight 2 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium, powder, max. particle size 850 micron, weight 10 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium, powder, max. particle size 850 micron, weight 2 g, purity 99.9%
Ruthenium single crystal, 9-10mm (0.35-0.39in) dia, 50mm (2.0in) long, (0001) orientation
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.025mum, specific density 30.5mug/cm2, permanent mylar 3.5mum support, 99.9%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.1mum, specific density 122mug/cm2, permanent mylar 3.5mum support, 99.9%