Difference between revisions of "Osmium"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | Osmium is the chemical element with symbol '''Os '''and atomic number 76. | + | '''Osmium''' is the chemical element with symbol '''Os '''and atomic number 76. |
== Properties == | == Properties == | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
=== Physical properties === | === Physical properties === | ||
| − | Osmium is a hard, brittle, | + | Osmium is a hard, brittle, white-bluish transition metal and usually is found in traces in platinum ores. It is the densest element known, with a density of 22.6 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, slightly denser than [[iridium]]. It's almost twice as dense as lead. It melts at 3033 ºC, which makes it unfeasible for the amateur chemist to cast. |
== Availability == | == Availability == | ||
It is one of the rarest elements so it is quite expensive. It can be bought online from Metallium. | It is one of the rarest elements so it is quite expensive. It can be bought online from Metallium. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Projects== |
| − | Osmium tetroxide | + | *Osmium tetroxide synthesis (Dangerous! Toxic) |
| + | *Organoosmium compounds | ||
| + | ==Handling== | ||
| + | ===Safety=== | ||
| + | Osmium metal poses very little toxicity as it does not react with most reagents. Osmium powder, however, will slowly oxidise in air to form osmium tetroxide, which is toxic and a powerful oxidant. Osmium powder is also pyrophoric. The bulk metal, however, is safe to keep in air. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Stprage=== | ||
| + | Bulk osmium does not require any special storage. Osmium powder should be kept in closed containers, in a well ventilated area, preferable under a gas other than air (such as carbon dioxide). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Disposal=== | ||
| + | Due to osmium's high price, it's best to try and recycle it as much possible. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | ===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ||
[[Category:Elements]] | [[Category:Elements]] | ||
[[Category:Metals]] | [[Category:Metals]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Transition metals]] |
| + | [[Category:Platinum]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Platinum group]] | ||
| + | [[Category:D-block]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Precious metals]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Inert chemicals]] | ||
Revision as of 13:23, 13 August 2015
Osmium is the chemical element with symbol Os and atomic number 76.
Contents
Properties
Chemical properties
Osmium forms compounds with oxidation state from -2 to 8. It is slightly attacked by aqua regia, and by fuming nitric acid, and it is attacked by molten hydroxides. It forms the toxic osmium tetroxide (OsO4), the most common compound with +8 oxidation state, in contact with air. A lower oxide, osmium dioxide, is known. It forms coordination complexes easily.
Physical properties
Osmium is a hard, brittle, white-bluish transition metal and usually is found in traces in platinum ores. It is the densest element known, with a density of 22.6 g/cm3, slightly denser than iridium. It's almost twice as dense as lead. It melts at 3033 ºC, which makes it unfeasible for the amateur chemist to cast.
Availability
It is one of the rarest elements so it is quite expensive. It can be bought online from Metallium.
Projects
- Osmium tetroxide synthesis (Dangerous! Toxic)
- Organoosmium compounds
Handling
Safety
Osmium metal poses very little toxicity as it does not react with most reagents. Osmium powder, however, will slowly oxidise in air to form osmium tetroxide, which is toxic and a powerful oxidant. Osmium powder is also pyrophoric. The bulk metal, however, is safe to keep in air.
Stprage
Bulk osmium does not require any special storage. Osmium powder should be kept in closed containers, in a well ventilated area, preferable under a gas other than air (such as carbon dioxide).
Disposal
Due to osmium's high price, it's best to try and recycle it as much possible.
