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Platinum

Key Data and Description

History

Geological Information

Crystallography

Reactions of Platinum

Platinum Compounds

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Platinum does not normally react with air or water.

Reaction of platinum with the halogens

Careful control of the reaction between platinum metal and fluorine gas gives either the volatile platinum(VI) fluoride, PtF₆ or the tetrameric platinum(V) fluoride, (PtF₅)₄.  The latter product disproportionates into platinum(VI) fluoride and platinum(IV) fluoride, PtF₄.

Pt(s) + 3F₂(g) PtF₆(s) [dark red]

4Pt(s) + 10F₂(g) (PtF₅)₄(s) [deep red]

(PtF₅)₄(s) PtF₆(s) + PtF₄(s) [yellow brown]

PtCl₄, PtBr₄ and PtI₄ are formed in the reactions of platinum metal and chlorine, Cl₂, bromine, Br₂, or iodine, I₂.

Pt(s) + 2Cl₂(g) PtCl₄(s) [red brown]

Pt(s) + 2Br₂(g) PtBr₄(s) [brown black]

Pt(s) + 2I₂(g) PtI₄(s) [brown black]

PtCl₂ is also formed in the controlled reaction of platinum metal and chlorine.  Depending upon the reaction conditio9ns, one of two different forms of PtCl₂ is formed.

Pt(s) + Cl₂(g) PtCl₂(s) [dark red or olive green]