Ruthenium (Ru)
"The Indestructible Catalyst: Ruthenium, a silent, steely guardian that accelerates reactions and reinforces materials, enduring the harshest conditions without ever breaking a sweat."
A memorable persona to anchor Ru in your mind.
12.45
Grams per cm³
2333
Celsius (°C)
207
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Think of the tiny, ultra-durable contacts inside your phone or the super-sharp nib of a premium fountain pen – Ruthenium is often there, doing serious work!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1844
Discovered By
Karl Ernst Claus
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from ''Ruthenia'', the Latin name for Russia"
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
101.07 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
4147°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d75s1
1st Ionization Energy
7.361 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A dazzling, silvery-white metal that's super hard and surprisingly brittle."
Did You Know?
Ruthenium is one of the super-rare Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), making it a true treasure of the periodic table!
It's named after 'Ruthenia,' the Latin name for Rus', a historical region that is now part of Russia, where it was first identified.
This metal is an absolute master of catalysis, speeding up chemical reactions by millions of times without ever being used up itself!
Ruthenium is incredibly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, meaning it won't rust or dull, even when faced with aggressive acids.