How did Smithson Tennant find iridium?

In the residues of the platinum purification process Tennant discovered a dark powder, which was not attacked by aqua regia acid. A smart designed set of experiments led him to isolate and characterize the two new metals osmium and iridium (Tennant, 1804).

How did Tennant discovered iridium?

Natural iridium consists of a mixture of two… The English chemist Smithson Tennant discovered the element together with iridium in the residues of platinum ores not soluble in aqua regia. He announced its isolation (1804) and named it for the unpleasant odour of some of its compounds (Greek osme, odour).

Who discovered the element iridium?

Smithson Tennant
Iridium/Discoverers

In the late 20th century South Africa was the world’s major producer of iridium. The element was discovered in 1803 in the acid-insoluble residues of platinum ores by the English chemist Smithson Tennant; the French chemists H. -V.

When did Smithson Tennant discover iridium?

1804
Smithson Tennant’s name is well known to those who work with platinum group metals (pgms). He discovered both iridium and osmium in 1804, and his work with William Hyde Wollaston has been described in this journal (1).

What is the price of Iridium?

The average annual price for iridium in 2020 was 2,550 U.S. dollars per troy ounce. The price of iridium dramatically increased in March 2021, to 6,000 U.S. dollars per troy ounce as a result of supply shortages combined with its prospective use to produce green hydrogen.

What is iridium used for?

Iridium is the most corrosion-resistant material known. It is used in special alloys and forms an alloy with osmium, which is used for pen tips and compass bearings. It was used in making the standard metre bar, which is an alloy of 90% platinum and 10% iridium.

How did osmium get its name?

By a combination of acid and alkali treatments he eventually separated it into two new metal elements, which he named iridium and osmium, naming the latter on account of the strong odour it gave off. Its name is derived from osme the Greek word for smell.

Is iridium more expensive than gold?

Iridium, which is also used in spark plugs, has climbed to $6,000 an ounce, according to Johnson Matthey Plc data. That makes it more than three times more expensive than gold.

Is osmium harder than diamond?

Researchers from us-based Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl) have discovered that osmium, a metal, is harder than diamond. It withstands compression better than any other material. Osmium powder and argon were placed in the hole and subjected to very high pressure of 600,000 atmospheres.

Is osmium rarer than gold?

Funnily enough, Os is considered as a platinum group metal. Additionally it is much rarer than gold, about 1000 times. Osmium is still not as expensive as Gold, being around $400 USD per ounce compared $1,300 USD per ounce.

When did Smithson Tennant discover iridium and osmium?

Smithson Tennant FRS (30 November 1761 – 22 February 1815) was an English chemist. Tennant is best known for his discovery of the elements iridium and osmium, which he found in the residues from the solution of platinum ores in 1803.

Who was Smithson Tennant and what did he discover?

Smithson Tennant FRS (30 November 1761 – 22 February 1815) was an English chemist . Tennant is best known for his discovery of the elements iridium and osmium, which he found in the residues from the solution of platinum ores in 1803. He also contributed to the proof of the identity of diamond and charcoal.

How did Smithson Tennant come up with the name ruthenium?

…claimed by the English chemist Smithson Tennant in 1803. The French chemists Hippolyte-Victor Collet-Descotils, Antoine-François Fourcroy, and Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin identified the two metals at about the same time. Ruthenium, the last element to be isolated and identified, was given a name based on the Latinized word for Russia by the….

How did Smithson Tennant come up with the name osme?

The English chemist Smithson Tennant discovered the element together with iridium in the residues of platinum ores not soluble in aqua regia. He announced its isolation (1804) and named it for the unpleasant odour of some of its compounds (Greek osme, odour). …claimed by the English chemist Smithson Tennant in 1803.