Atomic number 44
Ruthenium
Transition metal
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 101.07
- Group
- 8
- Period
- 5
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 2.20
- Common ox. states
- +3, +4, +8
Properties
Electron configuration
[Kr] 4d⁷ 5s¹
- Ionization energy
- 710.2 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 101.3 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 2607.00 K (2333.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 4423.00 K (4149.9 °C)
How dangerous is it?
1/5 · Low risk
A hard, silvery member of the platinum family that is safe to handle as a solid. Only its fine powder needs care.
- FlammableImmediate
As a fine powder it can ignite in air, though a solid piece 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
Ruthenium is one of the platinum-group metals. Wide oxidation-state range (–2 to +8); RuO₄ is one of the few volatile, oxidizing tetroxides. Used in catalysts, electronic contacts, and cancer drugs in development.
