Platinum Compounds and Their Uses
Platinum is a chemical element that is commonly used in the making of various compounds. Platinum compounds are the result of combining platinum and other elements to create different chemical structures which are beneficial in a variety of applications. Platinum compounds are usually employed in a variety of industrial, medical and research endeavors. In particular, platinum compounds are used to create catalysts, performing as substrates in organic synthesis and as drugs for treating cancer.
Platinum is a rare and expensive element that is typically found in its natural state, and then is processed into a variety of other forms. Depending on the specific element it is combined with, platinum can be made into a variety of compounds. Some of the most common examples of platinum compounds include platinum oxide, chloroplatinic acid and hexahydroplatinate.
The most common application of platinum compounds is as a catalyst, which is a substance that helps to speed up chemical reactions. Platinum compounds are often employed as oxidation- reduction catalysts as they are especially effective at driving oxidation-reduction reactions while often minimizing the amount of energy required to initiate the reaction. Many industrial processes, such as in the production of plastics and petrochemicals, rely on platinum compounds in order to accelerate the chemical processes. In addition, platinum compounds can be used in the purification and production of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.
In addition to being a useful catalyst, platinum compounds have been used in the medical industry as drugs for cancer treatment. The use of platinum compounds as a cancer treatment began in the 1970s, where numerous compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity, or their ability to damage cells and inhibit replication. The most common type of platinum compound used for this purpose is cisplatin, which shows remarkable efficacy in chemotherapy treatments. Cisplatin is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs as it helps to prevent cancer cells from becoming resistant.
Other platinum compounds have also shown promise in the medical arena. Oxaliplatin is another frequently used platinum compound and is used in multiple drug regimens for the treatments of various types of cancers including colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer. Platinum compounds are also used in more novel techniques such as immunotherapy and gene-targeted therapies.
In addition to medical applications, platinum compounds are also used in research laboratories to create various new substances. Platinum compounds are often used in reaction-forming experiments as they are both catalysts and capable of forming stable bonds. Platinum compounds have also been used in a variety of highly specialized reactions such as the Wacker process, which is employed to create acetaldehyde from ethylene.
Overall, platinum compounds have a wide range of uses, from industrial applications to medical treatments. Their rare nature and powerful catalyzing properties make them a key component in many activities and are likely to continue to remain an important part of industry and medicine.
