Welcome to the 52nd Year of Publication of Platinum Metals Review
The quarterly E-journal of research on the platinum metals and of developments in their application in industry
The Journal: Volume 52, Issue 2
The April part of the 2008 journal is now live, as both webpages and PDF files.
Microwave Heating with Encapsulated Metal Catalysts
Mike Pitts (Reaxa Ltd., Manchester, U.K.; currently with the Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network) describes how the combination of focused microwave heating and encapsulated platinum, palladium or osmium promoters offers a safer, cleaner and more cost-effective solution to a wide range of catalyst-mediated reactions.
Immobilising Ruthenium Alkylidene Complexes: Part I
Part I of a series by Ileana and Valerian Dragutan (Institute of Organic Chemistry "Costin Nenitescu", Romanian Academy, Romania) describes immobilisation of ruthenium alkylidene complexes through their ligands, via coordinating/actor ligands (phosphane/alkylidene) and established ancillary ligands such as N-heterocyclic carbenes. Immobilisation onto solid and soluble polymers has emerged as an improvement in the catalysts’ capability for ‘green’ metathesis chemistry. Part II, to be published in a future issue of Platinum Metals Review, will address the remaining immobilisation strategies.
A Disordered Cu-Pd Alloy as a Cathode Material
Philippe Poizot and Lydia Laffont-Dantras (Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France) and Jacques Simonet (Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France) describe a novel method of forming a palladised copper (Cu/Pd) interface of well defined structure. When prepared from nitric and sulfuric acid solutions and the corresponding Pd(II)-based salt, the deposit is composed of nanoparticles of disordered CuPd alloy dispersed at the copper interface. The alloy-modified surface successfully promotes carbon–halogen bond cleavage reactions. These novel cathodic materials are potentially interesting for the disposal of halogenated waste.
Pt as a Reference Electrode in Electrochemistry
The usefulness of Pt as an electrochemical reference electrode was investigated by Kasem K. Kasem and Stephanie Jones (Indiana University Kokomo, U.S.A.). Well known redox systems with one-electron single or multiple redox waves, and two-electron multiple redox waves were used as test regimes. The effects on electrode performance of variables such as the solvent, the physical state of the electrolyte and its temperature were examined. Cyclic voltammetry was used to derive kinetic parameters for comparison with corresponding results from traditional reference electrodes. The results indicate that Pt can be used as a reference electrode under conditions unsuitable for traditional reference electrodes.The Periodic Table and the Platinum Group Metals
The year 2007 marked the centenary of the death of Dmitri Mendeleev (1834–1907). Bill Griffith (Imperial College, London, U.K.) discusses how Mendeleev and some of his predecessors accommodated the platinum group metals (pgms) in the Periodic Table, and considers the placing of their three man-made transuranic congeners: hassium, meitnerium and darmstadtium. The placement of the pgms in the Periodic Table clearly represented a challenge, but the problem was finally resolved by Mendeleev some 140 years ago. Hassium, meitnerium and darmstadtium are likely to have chemistries similar to those of osmium, iridium and platinum.
Crystallite Size Analysis of Supported Pt Catalysts by XRD
In this issue's Final Analysis, Tim Hyde (Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, U.K.) addresses the characterisation of supported Pt catalysts. He notes that X-Ray diffraction (XRD) is often used in combination with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and, for fuel cell electrocatalysts, electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry. Crystal/particle size information obtained from fresh or aged samples generally correlates with catalytic activity. Average Pt crystallite size can be calculated from XRD peak broadening.
Other Items in This Issue
Dalton Discussion 10: Applications of Metals in Medicine and Healthcare was held in September 2007. In a review, Christian G. Hartinger (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland; and University of Vienna, Austria) notes that Pt complexes are applied in half of all chemotherapeutic schemes against a wide range of tumours. Currently, Pt(II) and Ru complexes are being developed alongside non-pgm compounds (gold, iron and vanadium) as anticancer and anti-HIV agents. More broadly, Pt, Ru and other metal-based drugs are demonstrating potential as major treatments for some common diseases.
Organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, and sponsored by Johnson Matthey and the Collaborative Research Network for Nanotechnology (CRNNT) of the University of Birmingham, Faraday Discussion 138: Nanoalloys – From Theory to Applications took place in September 2007, and is reviewed by Geoffrey Bond. The term ‘nanoalloy’ describes the assembly of a small number of atoms of metallic elements of two or more kinds, with properties often significantly different from those of the corresponding bulk materials. Areas covered included theory and simulation; electronic, optical and magnetic properties; catalysis; and structural studies. The potential for practical applications of small bimetallic particles containing pgms was clearly demonstrated.
The symposium Challenges in Catalysis for Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals was held in November 2007, and was organised by the Society of Chemical Industry Fine Chemicals Group and the Royal Society of Chemistry Applied Catalysis Group. In a review, Chris Barnard (Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, U.K.) reported that the increased focus on environmental issues and sustainability for the preparation of active pharmaceutical ingredients and fine chemicals requires catalytic processes that will reduce waste, energy demand and safety hazards. Examples highlighted include the potential for use of rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation for the preparation of specialty linear aldehydes. Amides can be synthesised with minimal waste via Pd-catalysed reaction of aryl chlorides in the presence of sodium phenoxide.
The book “Green Chemistry and Catalysis” is reviewed by Duncan Macquarrie (University of York, U.K.). The processes required to convert renewable biopolymer feedstocks (such as starch and cellulose) into more sophisticated molecules will involve different blends of chemistries. Reduction catalysis will be expected to play a very prominent role, with the outlook for Pd, Pt and related reduction catalysts in deoxygenation chemistry being very interesting. The role of chemistry in ‘greening’ existing processes will drive the development of more efficient and selective catalysts, and their more effective use. The book also covers the key areas of catalysis, with chapters on solid acids and bases, oxidation (including Ru catalysts), reduction, C–C bond forming (including Pd and Ru catalysts) and hydrolysis.
Frederick Alastair Lewis, who died in May 2007, was eminent in research on metal-hydrogen systems, specifically Pd and its alloys. In an appreciation, Ted B. Flanagan (University of Vermont, Burlington, U.S.A.) notes that Fred made 33 contributions to Platinum Metals Review between 1960 and 2003. His paper of 1982, 'The Palladium-Hydrogen System’ is particularly frequently cited.
Fuel Cell Today's 2008 Industry Review, titled “Fuel Cells: Commercialisation”, is announced. In the year to January 2008 the fuel cell industry has seen a growth of 75% in new units delivered, with some 12,000 new fuel cell units shipped during 2007. Fuel Cell Today believes that the current commercial opportunities for fuel cells favour low-temperature electrolytes, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and proton exchange membranes (PEMs), with over 98% of current manufacturing being low-temperature units.
The issue contains highlights from the scientific and patent literature.
PMR Brochure
A four-page, A5-sized brochure describing the scope and services of Platinum Metals Review is available. View the brochure here.
Journal Archive
The Journal Archive provides access to every issue of Platinum Metals Review (Volume 1 to date). It is available at: http://www.platinummetalsreview.com/dynamic/volume/archive
For articles in issues from Volume 1, Issue 1 to Volume 47, Issue 3, article details and PDF files (including entire issue PDF files) are presented. XHTML full text is not available for these earlier issues.
Articles in issues from Volume 47, Issue 4, onwards are available in both PDF and XHTML full text formats.
Rapid location of articles can be achieved using the Advanced Search
Highlight articles include:
'The Manufacture of Nitric Acid', H. Connor, Platinum Metals Rev., 1967, 11, (1), 2
'Some Biological Effects of Platinum Compounds', B. Rosenberg, Platinum Metals Rev., 1971, 15, (2), 42
'Automobile Emission Control Systems', G. K. Acres and B. J. Cooper, Platinum Metals Rev., 1972, 16, (3), 74
'Fuel Cell Energy Generators', D. S. Cameron, Platinum Metals Rev., 1978, 22, (2), 38
'The Palladium-Hydrogen System', F. A. Lewis, Platinum Metals Rev., 1982, 26, (1), 20 and references cited therein
'Twenty-Five Years of Autocatalysts', M. V. Twigg, Platinum Metals Rev., 1999, 43, (4), 168
'The CativaTM Process for the Manufacture of Acetic Acid', J. H. Jones, Platinum Metals Rev., 2000, 44, (3), 94
Electronic issues of Platinum Metals Review from April 1998 onwards are also freely available on the IngentaConnect website.
The PGM Science Mine
- Events Calendar – a comprehensive list of scientific meetings on all the disciplines involving the platinum group metals. Events can be filtered by category.
- The People Directory – for you and your interests in the pgms.
- The Organisation Directory – for your departmental or company interests in the pgms.
- Links – the ones we find useful.
A History of Platinum and its Allied Metals
A comprehensive and frequently cited book on the history of platinum and its associated metals. It covers important discoveries and scientific work on the pgms up to the early twentieth century. Increasing knowledge of the six metals is interwoven with the growth in science since the eighteenth century. The book contains twenty-four chapters, 450 pages, over 600 references and 235 illustrations (20 in colour) including 100 portraits.
To order a copy, price U.K.£20, Europe €30 or U.S.$45 to include postage and packing, please complete the contact us form, selecting the category “A History of Platinum and its Allied Metals”.
The PGM Database
The PGM Database contains referenced collections of pgm data. Click on the logo to the right.
The database gives access to information on over 400 alloys, with more than 1000 diagrams and graphs having over 9000 referenced numerical data points. This free database contains properties on the six platinum group metals, their alloy systems and phase diagrams. You are invited to contribute your own published results for inclusion in the database.
Platinum Metals Review is published here by Johnson Matthey PLC, refiner and fabricator of the precious metals and sole marketing agent for the six platinum group metals produced by Anglo Platinum Limited, South Africa.