Rutenium: Russian metal that bears the name of Russia

In the periodic table of D. I. Mendeleev, there is an element with atomic number 44, which has a resounding name — rutenium. It is not just a platinum group metal, but the only chemical element named after Russia (Ruthenia — the Latin name for Russia). It was discovered in 1844 by Professor Karl Karlovich Klauz of Kazan University and has since firmly entered the history of science and technology. Today, rutenium is one of the most refractory, hardest, and corrosion-resistant materials, indispensable in electronics, catalysis, and even in the space industry.

Why was the element named "ruthenium"?

The name of the element comes from the Latin word Ruthenia, which means "Russia" or "Rus". Karl Klauz, the discoverer of rutenium, emphasized that he gave the name in honor of his homeland. This was a gesture of a patriot of German descent who connected his life with Russia and wanted to immortalize its name in the periodic table.

Why does it have such an atomic number?

The atomic number of the element in the Mendeleev table (44) is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus of its atom. This number uniquely identifies rutenium as a chemical element. In the periodic table, it is located in the VIIIB group, in the 5th period, and belongs to the so-called rutenium-rhodium-palladium triad — a group of metals similar in chemical properties. Mendeleev predicted the existence of this element, leaving an empty cell for it, but its physical discovery occurred before the great chemist formulated his law.