Palladium (Pd)
Transition metal
Palladium is a precious metal with an unusual appetite: it can soak up hundreds of times its own volume of hydrogen. Its main job is in catalytic converters, turning exhaust pollutants into less harmful gases.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 46 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 106.421 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d10 |
| Noble gas shorthand | [Kr] 4d10 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 18 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 18 |
| Common oxidation states | +2, +4 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.2 |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | 139 pm |
| First ionization energy | 804.4 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 54.2 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 12.02 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1554.9 °C (1828 K) |
| Boiling point | 2962.8 °C (3236 K) |
| Appearance | silvery white |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | Occurs naturally |
Electron configuration of palladium
Palladium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d10, usually shortened to [Kr] 4d10. Its electrons occupy 4 shells (2, 8, 18, 18), placing it in period 5 of the d-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of palladium
- Catalytic converters for petrol engines
- Electronics (multilayer capacitors, connector plating)
- Hydrogen purification membranes
- White gold and dental alloys
Biological role: None known.
Occurrence: Recovered from nickel and platinum ores, mainly in Russia and South Africa.
Common compounds of palladium
PdCl2
Palladium(II) chloride
History and discovery
Discovered: 1803 — William Hyde Wollaston. Name origin: Named after the asteroid Pallas, discovered just before the element.
William Hyde Wollaston discovered palladium in 1803 — and first sold it anonymously through a mineral dealer.
Safety notes
Bulk metal is safe; palladium salts are sensitising and handled with care industrially.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Palladium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Palladium?
2. What is the atomic number of Palladium?
3. Which category does Palladium belong to?
4. What is the state of Palladium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Palladium in?
Palladium FAQs
What is the atomic number of palladium?
Palladium's atomic number is 46 — every palladium atom has 46 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for palladium?
Pd. Named after the asteroid Pallas, discovered just before the element.
Is palladium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Palladium is classified as a transition metal.
What state is palladium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, palladium is a solid. It melts at 1554.9 °C.
What is palladium used for?
Key uses include: catalytic converters for petrol engines; electronics (multilayer capacitors, connector plating); hydrogen purification membranes.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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