Atomic number 46
Palladium
Transition metal
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 106.42
- Group
- 10
- Period
- 5
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 2.20
- Common ox. states
- +2, +4
Properties
Electron configuration
[Kr] 4d¹⁰
- Ionization energy
- 804.4 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 53.7 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 1828.05 K (1554.9 °C)
- Boiling point
- 3236.00 K (2962.8 °C)
How dangerous is it?
1/5 · Low risk
A silvery platinum-family metal that is safe to hold as a solid and is used in jewelry and catalytic converters. Only its fine powder needs care.
- FlammableImmediate
As a fine powder it can ignite in air, though the solid metal will not. (as a fine powder, not the solid)
The powder is kept away from heat and sparks; the bulk metal needs no special care.
How it bonds
Palladium has the unusual ground state [Kr] 4d¹⁰ (no 5s electrons). Common oxidation state is +2. Spectacular at absorbing hydrogen - a chunk of palladium can soak up 900× its own volume of H₂. Used in catalytic converters and Suzuki coupling reactions.
