Precious metals are often called "noble" because they resist oxidation and protonic acids.
Precious metals display a wide variety of oxidation states, though they generally prefer low-spin configurations: Predominantly +1positive 1 . It forms linear complexes like Gold (Au): Commonly +1positive 1 +3positive 3 typically adopts a square planar geometry.
) are central to modern solar energy conversion and light-driven organic synthesis due to their long-lived excited states. Summary Table Key Property Common Use Extreme malleability; Relativistic color Electronics, Jewelry, Nanomedicine Silver (Ag) Highest thermal/electrical conductivity Photography (historically), Antimicrobials Palladium (Pd) Hydrogen "sponge" Hydrogenation, Catalytic converters Platinum (Pt) High melting point; Bio-compatibility Chemotherapy, Fuel cells Rhodium (Rh) Extreme corrosion resistance NOxcap N cap O sub x reduction in vehicles Chemistry of Precious Metals
Au3++3e−→Aucap A u raised to the 3 plus power plus 3 e raised to the negative power right arrow cap A u +1.52Vpositive 1.52 cap V
ions act as complexing agents to stabilize the metal in solution as 3. Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis Precious metals are often called "noble" because they
Most are insoluble in standard acids. Gold and platinum require Aqua Regia (a 3:1 mixture of HClcap H cap C l HNO3cap H cap N cap O sub 3 HNO3cap H cap N cap O sub 3 acts as an oxidant, while the Cl−cap C l raised to the negative power
Notable for reaching very high oxidation states. Osmium tetroxide ( OsO4cap O s cap O sub 4 ) features Os in the +8positive 8 state and is a powerful (though toxic) oxidizing agent. 5. Emerging Applications: Photochemistry and Medicine Cancer Treatment: Cisplatin ( ) are central to modern solar energy conversion
) was the first major inorganic anticancer drug. It works by binding to DNA, cross-linking the strands and preventing replication. Ruthenium and Iridium complexes (like