Osmium-chemistry
Proof
The element osmium is detected via its compound osmium tetroxide. Although the detection reaction is specific, it is not recommended due to toxicity.
The test solution containing osmium is dropped onto a filter paper that has previously been moistened with a benzidine or potassium ferricyanide solution. If the benzidine solution was used, the filter paper turns purple. In the case of the potassium ferricyanide solution, a light green coloration occurs.
Nowadays, however, more and more instrume…
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Display
The production of osmium is very complex and usually takes place during the extraction of other metals, such as platinum or gold.
The reactant for osmium extraction is usually the anode slime from gold or nickel production. The anode slime is dissolved in aqua regia, which causes platinum and gold to dissolve. The other platinum metals and silver remain.
The silver forms insoluble silver chloride, which can be separated using nitric acid and lead carbonate. It is then melted with sodium bicarb…
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Characteristics
Osmium is in the sixth transition group in the periodic table. Within this group we find it in the sixth period.
Osmium has the atomic number 76 and an atomic mass of 190.23 u. Its electron configurationis [Xe] 4f14 5d6 6s2.
Osmium is non-toxic in its crystalline form as long as a temperature of 400 degrees Celsius is not exceeded.
Osmium is a blue-white shiny, hard metal that is difficult to work.
It is the hardest of the platinum metals and has the highest density of the PSE after iridium …
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Alloys
One osmium compound we have already heard about is osmium tetroxide. Crystalline osmium is not a compound but only a type of crystallization of the pure element, which is non-toxic up to 400 degrees Celsius due to its chemical properties.
It is formed by the reaction of oxidizing agents such as nitric acid on elemental osmium. Osmium tetroxide is a highly volatile solid that has a strong oxidizing effect.
Unlike most oxidizing agents, oxidation with osmium tetroxide can proceed under stereoche…
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