Palladium is a transition metal (atomic number 46) in the platinum group, extensively studied in chemistry and materials science for its exceptional catalytic, electronic, and hydrogen-absorbing properties. In catalysis, palladium complexes and surfaces mediate key organic transformations such as cross-coupling, carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bond formation, and hydrogenation, enabling precise synthesis of complex molecules. Its d-electron configuration underlies versatile oxidation states and ligand coordination chemistry. Palladium’s ability to reversibly absorb large amounts of hydrogen makes it a model system in hydrogen storage and diffusion studies, while thin palladium films and nanoparticles are investigated for applications in sensors, fuel cells, and heterogeneous catalysis.
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