zeolite2008 - 28-11-2007 at 07:33
I wonder whether metal Ru is dissolved in HF, NaOH, or concentrated HCl?
thanks!
not_important - 28-11-2007 at 08:05
See http://library.lanl.gov/cgi-bin/getfile?rc000070.pdf, page 13 and the various references given. Alsy try a web search for "ruthenium dissolving"
Acids don't have a lot of effect on ruthenium, although aqua regia with added potassium chlorate will attack it with great vigor to a somewhat
explosive degree if the metal is finely divided. Fusion with oxidising alkali mixtures works, hypochlorites will attack the powdered metal but must
be kept quite alkaline.
Acidic or neutral oxidising solutions of ruthenium are bad news, rather toxic RuO4 vapourises from them and the solutions attack almost everything
organic including many fluorocarbons. RuO4 is similar to OsO4 in its toxicity and general nastiness, its also formed when the finely divided metal is
heated in air; this is not a good way to get compounds of Ru because the oxide is so volatile and toxic.
woelen - 1-12-2007 at 11:38
I have done some experimenting with Ru-metal. I tried the aqua regia and aqua regia with chlorate and hydrochloric acid with chlorate. None of them
attacks the metal. There is a vigorous reaction, but not with the Ru, the only thing I get is Cl2 and ClO2. The Ru does not react at all!
One way which really works is dissolving of the metal in alkaline hypochlorite solution (5% bleach, with a pinch of extra NaOH). Add the powdered
metal to this solution and then heat. The metal slowly dissolves, giving a dark red solution of ruthenate, RuO4(2-).
http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/solutions/ru.html
Edit(woelen): Made link to my webpage work again.
[Edited on 30-7-16 by woelen]