Platinum-Group Metals, Compounds

The platinum-group metals, ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum, form binary compounds, coordination complexes, and organometallic compounds. Compounds of each of these metals, which exhibit a range of oxidation states, are summarized. Some of the more useful starting materials are noted, as are the most important uses for the compounds of each individual element. There are catalytic applications for the compounds of all six metals; chemotherapeutic applications for platinum compounds; oxidations by ruthenium and osmium compounds; plating and coating uses for platinum and palladium compounds; metal anode applications for iridium and rhodium compounds; and biological applications of ruthenium compounds. The economic aspects of the platinum-group metal compounds are summarized, as are the most significant health and safety concerns of working with these compounds. Keywords: Refining; Ruthenium compounds; Osmium compounds; Organometallic compounds; Rhodium compounds; Catalysts; Iridium compounds; Binary compounds; Coordination compounds; Palladium compounds; Platinum compounds; Chemotherapy