palladium [Pd] (amazing soaking sponge)

Introduction

Named for the asteroid Pallas, a name associated in Greek mythology with Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Discovered in 1803 by English chemist William Hyde Wollaston, while analyzing samples of platinum ore.

Occurrence

• rare
• deposits of platinum, nickel, copper, silver, gold

Characteristics

• silver-white ductile malleable metallic element of the platinum group
• highly resistant to corrosion
• able to absorb up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen (H2) at room temperature
• forms PdCl2

Uses

• electrical contacts
• catalyst
• catalytic converters (60% of palladium used)
• alloys
• dental crowns
• jewelry (mixed with gold produces 'white gold')

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

Additional terms

• periodic table

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=23938