Ruthenium is a chemical element with symbol Ru and atomic number 44. It is a rare transition metal belonging to the platinum group of the periodic table. Like the other metals of the platinum group, ruthenium is inert to most other chemicals. The Russian chemist Karl Ernst Claus discovered the element in 1844 and named it after the Latin word Ruthenia, the country of origin of the symbols name.
Ruthenium is usually found as a minor component of platinum ores; the annual production is about 20 tonnes. Most ruthenium produced is used in wear-resistant electrical contacts and thick-film resistors. A minor application for ruthenium is in platinum alloys and as a chemistry catalyst.
Ruthenium and its compounds are used for both industrial and medical applications. This element displays a variety of oxidation states from +3 to +8, with +2 and +4 being predominant. All compounds of ruthenium are unstable in air at normal temperatures, decomposed by light, oxygen, and moisture so that only a few compounds of it exist in the atmosphere. A few ruthenium compounds, however, remain stable for extended periods particularly in acidic solutions.
Ruthenium has an extremely low toxicity. Very little is known about the toxic effects of ruthenium, as there is little information available. Ruthenium is considered to be non-carcinogenic and is considered to be biologically inert. In animal studies, ruthenium had very low toxicity, with no signs of illness found at doses up to 10mg/Kg body weight.
Ruthenium metal is used to in a variety of applications, including electrical contacts, medical implants, and electronics. Ruthenium is particularly useful in the electrical industry as it is resistant to wear and corrosion, making it an ideal material for electrical contacts and other electrical components. It has excellent electrical and mechanical properties, making it ideal for use in switching devices. It also has a low melting point and can be used in a variety of alloys.
Ruthenium-based compounds are also used in medical implants and drug delivery systems. The ruthenium atom has a remarkable ability to be bound with complex organic molecules. This makes it an ideal metal for drug delivery systems, as it can be bound to target-specific molecules such as antibodies, hormones, and vitamin derivatives. Medical implants, such as pacemakers, are also commonly used to deliver drugs to a specific area of the body. These implants are typically made out of ruthenium-based alloys as they have excellent corrosion resistance and low-temperature stability.
Ruthenium is also used as a catalyst in a variety of organic synthesis reactions. Catalysts are molecules or atoms that lower the energy of a reaction and are used to increase the efficiency and speed of chemical reactions. Ruthenium has been used as a catalyst in a variety of reactions such as polymerization, epoxidation, hydration, oxidation and olefin metathesis. Ruthenium-based catalysts are also widely used in industrial processes such as petroleum refining and synthesis of pharmaceuticals.
In summary, Ruthenium is a rare transition metal with a variety of industrial, medical, and chemical uses. It has an extremely low toxicity and can be used in a variety of electrical devices and alloys. It also exhibits a variety of oxidation states and is used as a catalyst in many organic synthesis reactions. Additionally, it is used in medical implants and drug delivery systems due to its ability to bind with complex organic molecules.
