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Platinum salts

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) , CAS 16919-58-7

(NH4)2PtCl6MW 443.88 g/mol43.95% PtMade in Dublin, Ireland

Synonyms: Ammonium platinum(IV) chloride; Diammonium hexachloroplatinate; Ammonium chloroplatinate; Ammonium platinic chloride; (NH4)2PtCl6

Also known as: Ammoniumhexachloroplatinat(IV) (German); Hexacloroplatinato(IV) de amonio (Spanish); Hexachloroplatinate(IV) d'ammonium (French); Esacloroplatinato(IV) di ammonio (Italian); Ammoniumhexachloroplatinaat(IV) (Dutch)

GHS05
Corrosive
GHS06
Toxic
GHS08
Health hazard
Respiratory sensitiser (H334)

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. Handle only in a fume hood or with equivalent dust containment, wear respiratory protection where dust or aerosol can form, and read the safety data sheet before use. Supplied to trained professional users only.

Overview

The salt in which platinum is purified and recovered: ammonium chloroplatinate precipitates platinum from refinery liquors and decomposes cleanly on heating to platinum sponge.

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) is a yellow to orange crystalline platinum(IV) salt, sparingly soluble in water, that decomposes cleanly on heating to platinum sponge, the classical route to high-purity platinum and platinum black. It is used to prepare supported platinum catalysts, fuel-cell electrocatalysts, platinum nanoparticles and platinum coatings, and as the platinum intermediate in refining and recovery. A respiratory and skin sensitiser: handle only with dust containment. Approximately 44% platinum by mass; each lot is assayed and released with a certificate of analysis.

Application areas

Typical applications of ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv)

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate is the central intermediate of platinum refining. Adding ammonium chloride to a chloroplatinic acid solution precipitates platinum quantitatively as the yellow salt, leaving most base metals and palladium in solution; redissolving and reprecipitating raises the purity, and calcining the salt at 500–800 °C drives off ammonium chloride and chlorine to leave platinum sponge of 99.9% and better. The same sequence is used in laboratories to recover platinum from residues, spent catalysts and crucible scrap.

Because it decomposes to the pure metal with no residue, ammonium hexachloroplatinate is the precursor for platinum sponge, platinum powder and platinum black, for platinum coatings produced by thermal decomposition, and for supported platinum catalysts where the ammonium ion, which burns off on calcination, is preferred to potassium or sodium that would remain on the support.

It is also a convenient, stable platinum(IV) source for the synthesis of other platinum compounds (it converts to chloroplatinic acid with aqua regia or to the tetrachloroplatinate(II) salts on reduction), a gravimetric form in platinum analysis, and the platinum compound used in some decorative and dental alloy formulations.

Specification

Product nameAmmonium hexachloroplatinate(IV)
SynonymsAmmonium platinum(IV) chloride; Diammonium hexachloroplatinate; Ammonium chloroplatinate; Ammonium platinic chloride; (NH4)2PtCl6
Molecular formula(NH4)2PtCl6
CAS number16919-58-7
Molecular weight443.88 g/mol
MetalPlatinum (Pt)
Metal content43.95% Pt by mass (nominal; lot assay on the CoA)
Purity / grade≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 44%
AppearanceYellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder
SolubilitySlightly soluble in water (about 0.7 g per 100 mL at 15 °C, rising to about 3 g per 100 mL at 100 °C); practically insoluble in ethanol, acetone and concentrated ammonium chloride solution, which is why it is used as a precipitate. Soluble in hot dilute hydrochloric acid.
Melting pointDecomposes without melting from about 380 °C, losing ammonium chloride, nitrogen and chlorine; conversion to platinum sponge is complete by about 800 °C.
Density3.07 g/cm³
HygroscopicityNot hygroscopic; stable in air indefinitely.
Crystal formYellow to orange-yellow cubic crystals.
StorageStore tightly closed in a cool, dry place. Keep away from reducing agents and strong bases.
Pack sizes1 g, 5 g, 25 g
Country of originIreland (manufactured in Dublin)

Solubility, melting point and density are literature values for the pure compound and are given for guidance; purity, platinum assay and appearance are measured on each lot and reported on its certificate of analysis.

Handling and storage

  • Harmful if swallowed (H302), causes serious eye damage (H318) and skin irritation (H315), and is a respiratory and skin sensitiser (H334, H317). Weigh in a fume hood; wear goggles and nitrile gloves; avoid all dust.
  • Calcination releases hydrogen chloride, chlorine and ammonium chloride fume: carry it out in a furnace vented to a fume hood or scrubber, in a silica or porcelain dish, heating slowly to avoid spattering.
  • Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from light, bases and reducing agents. Bases liberate ammonia.
  • Collect all platinum-bearing filtrates and residues for recovery; the salt is the recovery form.
  • Dangerous goods for transport: UN3288, Class 6.1, Packing Group III.

Hazard classification (CLP / GHS)

GHS05
Corrosive
GHS06
Toxic
GHS08
Health hazard
Signal wordDanger
Hazard statements
  • H301 Toxic if swallowed.
  • H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H318 Causes serious eye damage.
  • H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Precautionary statements
  • P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P301+P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor.
  • P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P330 Rinse mouth.
  • P405 Store locked up.
  • P501 Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor.
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust.
  • P284 Wear respiratory protection.
  • P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P342+P311 If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Call a POISON CENTRE or doctor.
  • P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P333+P313 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention.
TransportUN3288, Class 6.1, PG III. Dangerous goods: ships by regulated courier with a handling surcharge of €25.00 per consignment.

Classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP). The safety data sheet issued with each lot is the authoritative source; where this page and the SDS differ, follow the SDS. For research and industrial use only. Not for human, veterinary, food or cosmetic use.

Documents

Safety data sheet (SDS)

The current SDS for Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) is supplied with every quotation and shipment. Request a copy.

Certificate of analysis (CoA)

Issued per lot with platinum assay. Enter the lot number from your label.

Find a CoA

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert ammonium hexachloroplatinate to platinum sponge?

Place the salt in a silica or porcelain dish in a vented furnace, heat slowly (about 2–5 °C per minute) to 400 °C to decompose it without spattering, then raise the temperature to 700–800 °C and hold for one to two hours to drive off the last chloride. The yield is the theoretical 44% of the starting mass as grey, porous platinum sponge, which can be washed with hot dilute hydrochloric acid and water to remove traces of ammonium chloride. The off-gas is corrosive: vent it to a hood or scrubber.

How do I use it to recover platinum from residues?

Dissolve the platinum in aqua regia, boil down with hydrochloric acid several times to destroy nitrosyl species, dilute, filter, and add a saturated solution of ammonium chloride; the yellow ammonium hexachloroplatinate precipitates within an hour. Filter, wash with ammonium chloride solution and ethanol, and either dry it as a stable store of platinum or calcine it to sponge as above. Palladium remains largely in the filtrate and is recovered separately.

How much platinum does ammonium hexachloroplatinate contain?

Stoichiometric (NH₄)₂PtCl₆ is 43.95% platinum by mass (specification about 44%). The salt is not hygroscopic so the formula value is dependable, and every lot is also assayed with the result on the certificate of analysis. Calcining 1.00 g yields about 0.44 g of platinum.

Can it be used as a catalyst precursor instead of chloroplatinic acid?

Yes, and it is often preferred when the support must not pick up alkali-metal ions: the ammonium ion burns off on calcination, leaving only platinum. Its limited solubility (about 7 g/L cold, 30 g/L hot) means impregnation solutions are made in hot water or dilute hydrochloric acid, or the salt is deposited onto the support from a warm solution as it cools.

Ordering, shipping and documentation
What is the CAS number of ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv)?

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) has CAS Registry Number 16919-58-7. Its formula is (NH4)2PtCl6 (443.88 g/mol) and it contains about 43.95% platinum by mass.

How is ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv) priced?

Pack prices are linked to the live platinum spot price: platinum content × spot €/g, plus a fixed fee per pack for manufacture, packaging and the certificate of analysis. The price shown is indicative and confirmed on your quotation; it excludes VAT and shipping.

Is ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv) classed as dangerous goods for shipping?

Yes. Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) ships as UN3288, class 6.1, packing group III, by dangerous-goods courier with a surcharge of €25.00 per consignment.

Do you supply a certificate of analysis and SDS for ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv)?

Yes. Every lot ships with a lot-specific certificate of analysis including platinum assay, and the current safety data sheet is available on this page and on request. Lot certificates can also be retrieved by lot number from our CoA lookup.

What precautions apply to ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv) as a respiratory sensitiser?

Ammonium hexachloroplatinate(IV) may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled (H334). Handle only in a fume hood or with equivalent dust containment, wear respiratory protection where dust or aerosol can form, and follow the SDS. It is supplied to trained professional users only.

Where do you ship ammonium hexachloroplatinate(iv)?

We ship from Dublin to Ireland (from €12.00) and to all EU member states (from €25.00), plus Northern Ireland. For research and industrial use only; business customers only.

Related platinum and precious-metal compounds

All platinum compounds →
Platinum40.1% Pt

Potassium hexachloroplatinate(IV)

K2PtCl6 · CAS 16921-30-5
Respiratory sensitiser (H334)

Potassium hexachloroplatinate(IV) is a yellow to orange crystalline platinum(IV) salt, sparingly soluble in water, used as a stable platinum precursor for supported Pt catalysts and fuel-cell electrocatalysts (Pt/C by reduction), platinum nanoparticles and sols, and as a defined platinum standard. It is the classical gravimetric form for potassium and a key intermediate in platinum refining. A respiratory and skin sensitiser: handle only with dust containment. Approximately 40% platinum by mass; each lot is assayed and ships with a certificate of analysis.

Grade
≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 40%
Pack sizes
1 g, 5 g, 25 g
from €59.00 excl. VAT
View / request quote
Platinum37.7% Pt

Chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate

H2PtCl6·6H2O · CAS 18497-13-7
Respiratory sensitiser (H334)

Chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate is the standard platinum precursor for platinum catalysts (Adams' catalyst PtO2, Pt/C, Speier's and Karstedt's hydrosilylation catalysts), electroplating and platinising of electrodes, platinum nanoparticles and fuel-cell electrocatalysts. Like all soluble chloroplatinates it is a potent respiratory and skin sensitiser and must be handled in a fume hood with full containment of dust and aerosols. Each lot is supplied with a platinum assay and full certificate of analysis.

Grade
≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 38%
Pack sizes
1 g, 5 g, 25 g
from €57.00 excl. VAT
View / request quote
Platinum47% Pt

Potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II)

K2PtCl4 · CAS 10025-99-7
Respiratory sensitiser (H334)

Potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II) is a ruby-red, water-soluble platinum(II) salt and the standard starting material for platinum(II) coordination chemistry: cisplatin and other platinum anticancer complexes, Zeise's salt, platinum phosphine and diimine complexes, platinum porphyrins and phosphorescent emitters. It is also used for platinum nanoparticles and shape-controlled nanocrystals, Pt/C catalysts and platinum plating baths. A respiratory and skin sensitiser: handle only with dust containment. Approximately 47% platinum by mass; supplied with a lot-specific assay.

Grade
≥99.9% (metals basis); Pt ≈ 47%
Pack sizes
1 g, 5 g, 25 g
from €65.00 excl. VAT
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Palladium39.94% Pd

Palladium(II) nitrate dihydrate

Pd(NO3)2·2H2O · CAS 32916-07-7

Palladium(II) nitrate dihydrate is a water-soluble, brown, hygroscopic palladium salt used to prepare supported palladium catalysts by impregnation (automotive three-way and diesel oxidation catalysts, Pd/Al2O3, Pd/C), as a chemical matrix modifier in graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, as a halide-free palladium source for palladium nanoparticles and electrocatalysts, and in palladium plating. Approximately 40% palladium by mass; supplied with a lot-specific palladium assay.

Grade
≥99.9% (metals basis); Pd ≈ 40%
Pack sizes
5 g, 25 g, 100 g
from €155.50 excl. VAT
View / request quote
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