ruteenium

Ruthenium is a chemical element with the symbol Ru and atomic number 44. It is a rare transition metal of the platinum group. Ruthenium was discovered in 1844 by Russian chemist Karl Ernst Claus. It is found in platinum ores and is commercially extracted from these ores. Ruthenium is a hard, brittle, silvery-white metal that does not tarnish in air at room temperature. It is highly resistant to corrosion and is insoluble in all acids.

Ruthenium has several important applications. It is used in alloys with platinum and palladium to harden them. These alloys are used in electrical contacts, pen nibs, and laboratory equipment. Ruthenium is also used as a catalyst in chemical reactions, particularly in petroleum refining and in the production of nitric acid. In addition, ruthenium compounds are used in the electronics industry, for example, in resistors and capacitors. It is also used in some specialized scientific instruments and in nuclear reactors.

Ruthenium is a relatively rare element, with an estimated abundance in the Earth's crust of about 0.001 parts per million. Its primary source is the mining of platinum group metals. The main producing countries are Russia, South Africa, and Canada. Ruthenium has no known biological role, and its toxicity is considered low. However, some ruthenium compounds can be toxic.