Palladium (Pd)
Palladium is element 46, a transition metal in period 5, group 10 of the periodic table. At room temperature it is a solid.
Electron configuration [Kr] 4d10
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 18
Palladium data
| Atomic number | 46 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Pd |
| Atomic mass | 106.42 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 10 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1828 K (1554.9 °C) |
| Boiling point | 3236 K (2962.9 °C) |
| Density | 12.023 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.2 |
| Atomic radius | 131 pm |
| 1st ionization energy | 804 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | -54 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation states | +2, +4 |
| Common ion charge | 2+ |
| Discovered | 1803 |
Orbital diagram
Each box is one orbital holding up to two electrons of opposite spin. Following Hund’s rule, electrons spread out singly across a subshell before pairing.
Work through palladium’s configuration and its ions →
Where palladium sits
Palladium belongs to the transition metals. Its Pauling electronegativity of 2.2 is mid-range; see the electronegativity chart and periodic trends for context. To use its mass in a calculation, try the molar mass calculator.
Palladium FAQ
What is the electron configuration of palladium?
Palladium (Z = 46) has the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10. In noble-gas shorthand that is [Kr] 4d10. This is an exception to the simple Aufbau prediction (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d8 5s2); a half-filled or filled subshell lowers the energy.
How many valence electrons does palladium have?
12 (2 outer s + 10 d electrons; 18 in the outermost shell).
What is the atomic mass of palladium?
The standard atomic weight of palladium is 106.42 u, so one mole weighs 106.42 g.
Is palladium a metal?
Yes. Palladium is a transition metal.
What is the charge of a palladium ion?
Palladium most commonly forms Pd2+.