orbitals are better screened, causing them to expand and become more chemically available.
They possess high positive reduction potentials (e.g.,
Gold's characteristic yellow color is a result of a relativistic shift that lowers the energy required for an electron to jump from the orbital, allowing it to absorb blue light. 2. Chemical Inertness and "Nobility" Chemistry of Precious Metals
Precious metals display a wide variety of oxidation states, though they generally prefer low-spin configurations: Predominantly +1positive 1 . It forms linear complexes like Gold (Au): Commonly +1positive 1 +3positive 3 typically adopts a square planar geometry.
Most are insoluble in standard acids. Gold and platinum require Aqua Regia (a 3:1 mixture of HClcap H cap C l HNO3cap H cap N cap O sub 3 HNO3cap H cap N cap O sub 3 acts as an oxidant, while the Cl−cap C l raised to the negative power orbitals are better screened, causing them to expand
) to nitrogen gas, while Pt and Pd oxidize carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons.
Au3++3e−→Aucap A u raised to the 3 plus power plus 3 e raised to the negative power right arrow cap A u +1.52Vpositive 1.52 cap V Chemical Inertness and "Nobility" Precious metals display a
ions act as complexing agents to stabilize the metal in solution as 3. Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis