Palladium (Pd): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Palladium (Pd): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Kr] 4d10 · group 10 · period 5 · Ar 106.42
Palladium data
- Atomic number
- 46
- Relative atomic mass
- 106.42
- Group
- 10
- Period
- 5
- Block
- d
- Category
- Transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 4d10
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d10
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18 (K L M N)
- Valence electrons
- 10
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.2
- First ionisation energy
- 8.337 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 202 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1555 °C
- Boiling point
- 2963 °C
- Density
- 12 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3, +2
- Discovered
- 1803
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 18
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About palladium
With atomic number 46, palladium (Pd) has 46 protons in its nucleus and 46 electrons as a neutral atom. It is a transition metal in group 10, period 5, d-block. Palladium was first discovered in 1803. Palladium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 1555 °C and boiling at 2963 °C.
Palladium electron configuration
The electron configuration of palladium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d10, or in short [Kr] 4d10. Its electrons occupy 4 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 18. For transition metals, valence electrons are counted from the 5s and 4d subshells: 0 + 10 = 10, matching group 10. This is an exception to the Aufbau rule: the usual filling order predicts [Kr] 5s2 4d8, but a full 4d subshell is more stable, so an electron moves from the s subshell into 4d. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Pd2+ = [Kr] 4d8; Pd3+ = [Kr] 4d7.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 4d10(46)
Uses of palladium
In industry and the laboratory, palladium turns up in many places, for example catalytic converters, cross-coupling (Suzuki, Heck) and Pd/C hydrogenation catalysts, dentistry, and hydrogen purification membranes. For research and analysis you can browse palladium compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Dry Pd/C catalyst can ignite solvent vapour or hydrogen, so handle it wet. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other elements in group 10
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of palladium?
The electron configuration of palladium (Pd, atomic number 46) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d10, or [Kr] 4d10 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 18.
How many valence electrons does palladium have?
Palladium has 10 valence electrons.
Which group and period is palladium in?
Palladium is in group 10, period 5, d-block.
What is the atomic mass of palladium?
The relative atomic mass of palladium is 106.42. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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