Palladium is a chemical element in the periodic system of the elements with the symbol Pd and the ordinal number 46. The rare silver-white transition metal of group of platinum resembles very platinum in the chemical behavior.

Characteristics

Palladium is a metal and the lightest element of group of

platinum. Therefore it has the lowest melting point from the elements

of this group and is also reaction-most joyful. At ambient temperature

it does not react however with oxygen, it keeps at air its metallic

gloss and does not start. In the glowed condition it is soft and

duktil, during deformation at low temperatures rises the firmness

and hardness however fast on (cold working).

Palladium is a precious metal, even if it is clearly more reactive

than relatives the element platinum: It separates in nitric acid. In

hydrochloric acid it dissolves with luftzutritt slowly. The

precious metal character of palladium is comparable to that of the

neighbouring silver: In many acids palladium is the nobler metal, in

hydrochloric acid behaves it however due to the formation of

easy-soluble palladium chloride connections more unedler.

History

Palladium was discovered 1803 by William Hyde

Wollaston. It designated it two years before 1804 after that

discovered Asteroiden Pallas.

Wollaston discovered the element 46 in South American platinum ore

due to to small yields samples dissolved at platinum out in aquae

regiae.