Platinum (Pt): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Platinum (Pt): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d9 · group 10 · period 6 · Ar 195.08
Platinum data
- Atomic number
- 78
- Relative atomic mass
- 195.08
- Group
- 10
- Period
- 6
- Block
- d
- Category
- Transition metal
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d9
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d9
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 10
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 2.28
- First ionisation energy
- 9 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 209 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1768 °C
- Boiling point
- 3825 °C
- Density
- 21.46 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +4, +2
- Discovered
- 1735
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 17 · P 1
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a transition metal in group 10, period 6, d-block. Platinum was first discovered in 1735. Platinum is a solid at room temperature, melting at 1768 °C and boiling at 3825 °C.
Platinum electron configuration
The electron configuration of platinum is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d9, or in short [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d9. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 17, P = 1. For transition metals, valence electrons are counted from the 6s and 5d subshells: 1 + 9 = 10, matching group 10. This is an exception to the Aufbau rule: the usual filling order predicts [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d8, but the 6s and 5d subshells are so close in energy that electrons occupy 5d. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Pt2+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d8; Pt4+ = [Xe] 4f14 5d6.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s1(55) → 4f14(69) → 5d9(78)
Uses of platinum
The main uses of platinum include catalytic converters, fuel-cell catalysts, jewellery, laboratory electrodes and the cancer drug cisplatin. For research and analysis you can browse platinum compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Platinum metal is inert, but platinum salts can cause respiratory allergy. 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 platinum?
The electron configuration of platinum (Pt, atomic number 78) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s1 4f14 5d9, or [Xe] 6s1 4f14 5d9 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1.
How many valence electrons does platinum have?
Platinum has 10 valence electrons.
Which group and period is platinum in?
Platinum is in group 10, period 6, d-block.
What is the atomic mass of platinum?
The relative atomic mass of platinum is 195.08. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
Need platinum compounds for your lab?
AMI Scientific is one of the official TCI distributors in Indonesia. Reagents with lot CoA & SDS, formal quotations and tax invoices for universities and laboratories.
Other formulas & calculators: molarity, mole, molality, normality, dilution, titration, pH, buffer, molar mass, ppm, mole fraction, mass percent, periodic table, chemical MSDS.
