78Pt Platinum

Description

Named from the Spanish word for silver, platinum is a lustrous, silvery-white metal that is very stable, being unaffected by air, water and most acids. It does react with molten bases. Platinum is a malleable and ductile metal, and used in jewelry, dental appliances, electrical contacts, electrical equipment, corrosion-resistant equipment, missile nose cones, jet engine parts, catalysts and catalytic converters in automobiles. Platinum compounds are used in anti-cancer drugs for fighting specific cancers, especially leukemia, A platinum-osmium alloy is used in pacemakers and heart replacement valves. Like palladium, platinum absorbs hydrogen. Platinum-cobalt alloys are magnetic.

Biological Benefits

Platinum has no known biological use.

Role in Life Processes

No known benefits for life processes in plants and animals.

Sources

Platinum is found in its pure native form or in platiniridium, a natural alloy of platinum and iridium. Platinum is present in thin sulfide layers in certain mafic igneous bodies and is mined in Canada, Russia, South Africa, the USA, Zimbabwe and Australia. Some platinum is obtained as a by-product of copper and nickel processing.