61
Pm
Promethium
145

Promethium (Pm)

LanthanidePeriod 6f-block-blockRadioactive

Promethium, originally prometheum, is a chemical element with the symbol Pm and atomic number 61. All of its isotopes are radioactive; it is one of only two such elements that are followed in the periodic table by elements with stable forms, a distinction shared with technetium. Chemically, promethium is a lanthanide, which forms salts when combined with other elements.

Latin name: Promethium

Atomic Number
61
Atomic Mass
145 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[Xe] 4f⁵ 6s²

General

SymbolPm
Atomic Number61
Atomic Mass145 g/mol
CategoryLanthanide
Period6
Blockf-block
Electron Configuration[Xe] 4f⁵ 6s²
Valence Electrons5
Coloursilvery-metallic
Appearancemetallic
CAS NumberCAS7440-12-2

Physical Properties

Phase (STP)Solid
Density7.26 g/cm³
Melting Point1041.85°C · 1907.33°F · 1315.00 K
Boiling Point2999.85°C · 5431.73°F · 3273.00 K

Atomic Properties

Atomic Radius236 pm
Electronegativity1.13 Pauling
Ionization Energy540 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+3
Ion ChargePm3+

Crystal Structure

Crystal Structurehexagonal close-packed

Nuclear & Hazards

RadioactiveYes
Half-life17.7 years (Pm-145)

Abundance

In Universe0.0000000001%
In Earth's Crust0.00000000000001%

Discovery & History

Discovery Year1945
Discovered ByJacob A. Marinsky, Lawrence E. Glendenin, Charles D. Coryell
Country of DiscoveryUSA
Named ByIsotopes of promethium

Isotopes of Promethium

IsotopeAbundanceHalf-lifeDecay
Pm-14517.7 yearsEC, α
Pm-1465.53 yearsEC, β⁻
Pm-1472.6234 yearsβ⁻

External References

← 60 Neodymium62 Samarium →