ruthenium [Ru]

Introduction

From the Latin Ruthenia, Russia. Discovered by Russian chemist Karl Karlovich Klaus in 1844.

Occurrence

• occurs in platinum & other ores

Characteristics

• silvery-white solid metal
• RuO4 is toxic & explosive

Uses

• hardening platinum alloys
• increasing corrosion resistance of titanium

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

Additional terms

• periodic table