Platinum

media type="custom" key="639203" =Abstract= Platinum is naturally found in extremely low amounts in the Earth’s crust. Important properties of platinum are its resistance to corrosion, strength at high temperatures, and high catalytic activity. Platinum is available in many forms including foil, sheet, wire, insulated wire, "evaporation slugs", gauze, powder, sponge, and mesh. Platinum was discussed by astronomer Antonio de Ulloa and Don Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713–1773), both appointed by King Philip V to join a geographical expedition in Peru that lasted from 1735 to 1745. Amongst other things, Ulloa observed the platina del pinto, the unworkable metal found with gold in New Granada (Colombia). British privateers intercepted Ulloa's ship on the return voyage.

The health effects of platinum are strongly dependent upon the kind of bonds that are shaped and the exposure level and immunity of the person that is exposed. Platinum as a metal is not very dangerous, but platinum salts can cause several health effects, such as: -DNA alterations, -Cancer, -Allergic reactions of the skin and the mucous membrane, -Damage to organs, such as intestines, kidneys and bone marrow -Hearing damage Platinum is used in anti-cancer medicine but it can also cause cancer. This is possible because of DNA cross-links. It appears that, due to the cisplatin-induced DNA cross-links, the replication of DNA is impaired in cancer cells, while in normal cells the cisplatin lesions on guanine are repaired before replication.

I feel as though platinum is a beautiful source but it does cause some complications. In this case the bad out-weighs the good. Yes, platinum helps cure cancer but it also causes it. Platinum can also be replaced by palladium when used in jewelry.

= = =A Little About Platinum…=

Platinum is naturally found in extremely low amounts in the Earth’s crust. Important properties of platinum are its resistance to corrosion, strength at high temperatures, and high catalytic activity. Platinum is available in many forms including foil, sheet, wire, insulated wire, "evaporation slugs", gauze, powder, sponge, and mesh.

Platinum- Symbol-Pt Atomic Number- 78 Atomic Weight- 195.084 CAS Registry ID: 7440-06-4 Group Number- 10 Group Name- Precious Metal or Platinum Group Period Number- 6 Block- d-block

Platinum was discussed by astronomer Antonio de Ulloa and Don Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713–1773), both appointed by King Philip V to join a geographical expedition in Peru that lasted from 1735 to 1745. Amongst other things, Ulloa observed the platina del pinto, the unworkable metal found with gold in New Granada (Colombia). British privateers intercepted Ulloa's ship on the return voyage.

Though he was well-treated in England, and even made a member of the Royal Society he was prevented from publishing a reference to the unknown metal until 1748. Before that could happen Charles Wood independently isolated the element in 1741. Major finds were discovered in Russia in 1819, which produced around 90% of the global Platinum production at the turn of the 20th century

=Human health implications=

Platinum is used as a component of several metal products, such as electrodes and it can be used to catalyze a number of chemical reactions. Platinum bonds are often applied as a medicine to cure cancer. Platinum is used in anti-cancer medicine but it can also cause cancer. This is possible because of DNA cross-links. It appears that, due to the cisplatin-induced DNA cross-links, the replication of DNA is impaired in cancer cells, while in normal cells the cisplatin lesions on guanine are repaired before replication. The health effects of platinum are strongly dependent upon the kind of bonds that are shaped and the exposure level and immunity of the person that is exposed. Platinum as a metal is not very dangerous, but platinum salts can cause several health effects, such as:

- DNA alterations - Cancer - Allergic reactions of the skin and the mucous membrane - Damage to organs, such as intestines, kidneys and bone marrow - Hearing damage

It affects the digestive system, the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. Platinum is used in anti-cancer medicine but it can also cause cancer. This is possible because of DNA cross-links. It appears that, due to the cisplatin-induced DNA cross-links, the replication of DNA is impaired in cancer cells, while in normal cells the cisplatin lesions on guanine are repaired before replication.

=Environmental implications=

The application of platinum in metal products is not known to cause many environmental problems, but we do know that it can cause serious health conditions in the working place environment.

Platinum is emitted into the air through the exhausts of cars that use leaded gasoline. Consequently, platinum levels in air may be higher on certain locations, for instance in garages, in tunnels and on terrains of trucking companies.

What the effects of platinum on animals and the environment may be has not yet been researched very extensively. The only thing that is known is that platinum will accumulate in the roots of plants after uptake. Whether eating platinum-containing plant roots can do any harm to animals and humans, is not yet clear, but we do know that when the platinum is in the human body it does damage.

Microorganisms may be able to convert platinum substances to more dangerous substances in soils, but no one is sure how yet.

=Synthesis/Production Section=

Sources of platinum production are quite scarce. In fact, more than 90% of world platinum production is concentrated in just two areas in South Africa and Russia. Additionally, there are not more than ten significant platinum mining companies in the world. The Bushveld Complex in South Africa is the main producer area, with the company AMPLATS as the industry leader. The other significant area is the Norilsk region in Russia. Russia is also the only country with significant stockpiles of platinum, although it is believed that their level has decreased. Platinum is available in many forms including foil, sheet, wire, insulated wire, "evaporation slugs", gauze, powder, sponge, and mesh.

“Reaction Of: 1. [PtMe2(-SMe2)]2 with cis-1,2-C6H10(N=CH-2-C5H4N)2 (1) 2. cis-1,2-C6H10(N=CH-2-C9H6N)2 (2) gives the complexes [PtMe2{cis-1,2-C6H10(N=CH-2-C5H4N)2}] (3) 3. [PtMe2{cis-1,2-C6H10(N=CH-2-C9H6N)2}]” http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/orgnd7/2001/20/i03/abs/om0007769.html

The transformations of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes with inner- and outer-sphere ligands by the action of (+)- -pinene and (+)-limonene were studied. Reduction of the metal complex is the main process whose rate increases in the following outer-sphere ligand series. platinum(II) was tested as catalyst in the hydrosilylation of acetophenone with diphenylsilane.

=Economic/ Political=

During World War II the U.S banned platinum from being used for anything that had no military purpose because it was used in medicine and was considered a very precious element. As a result platinum wasn’t used in jewelry for a while. I’m not sure if they used platinum in sponges and gauzes like they do now but if they did then it would have affect people everywhere.

An alternative for platinum is palladium. Today, palladium is trading at roughly $420.00 and platinum is trading at roughly $1800.00.

America, the Caribbean, Russia and South Africa export platinum. The greatest amount comes from Russia and South Africa. I don’t think that the ban of this product will have a major affect on me but it will have some sort of one. I would be able to find alternatives so it wouldn’t be too bad.