ruténium

Ruténium is a chemical element with the symbol Ru and atomic number 44. It is a rare transition metal belonging to the platinum group. Ruténium is a hard, brittle, silvery-white metal that does not tarnish in air and is resistant to corrosion. It is insoluble in water and acids but dissolves in molten alkalis.

Ruténium was discovered in 1844 by Karl Ernst Claus, a Russian chemist. It is found in small amounts in platinum ores and is a byproduct of nickel and copper refining. The metal is primarily used as an alloying agent to harden platinum and palladium and to increase their corrosion resistance. It is also used in electrical contacts, spinnerets for producing rayon, and in catalysts for various chemical reactions.

Ruténium has several oxidation states, with +2, +3, and +4 being the most common. Its compounds exhibit a variety of colors. Ruténium is diamagnetic.

Due to its rarity and the specialized applications it finds, ruténium is not a widely produced metal. Its economic significance lies in its role in high-technology industries and as a component in precious metal alloys.