Osmium (Os) is a hard, silver-gray element in the platinum group and is as rare as gold (Figure 1). It is a transition element and is the densest of all elements – about twice as dense as lead (Figure 2). It was discovered by Smithson Tennant in London in 1803.

 

The chief source of osmium is as a by-product of smelting nickel. It is slowly oxidized in air. The most common isotope is ¹⁹²Os (41.0%).

 

Like iridium, osmium is used in producing hard alloys. It is also used to make electrical contacts and pen points.

 

Osmium tetroxide is a colorless or faintly yellowish compound used to stain fats or as a fixative in the preparation of tissues for study by microscope. Osmium tetroxide evaporates readily, the vapor having a toxic action on the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

 

atomic number	76
relative atomic mass	190.2
relative density	22.57
melting point	3.045°C (5,513°F)
boiling point	5,027°C (9,081°F)