Re
186.210Rhenium
Renyum
Rhenium is a rare group 7 transition metal with atomic number 75. It is valued in jet-engine superalloys, platinum-rhenium reforming catalysts, W-Re thermocouples, radiotherapy research and Re-Os geochronology.
75
186.21 g/mol
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 13 | 2
1.9
21.02 g/cm³
3185.8 °C
5595.9 °C
Walter Noddack, Ida Tacke ve Otto Berg
Rhenium was discovered in 1925 by Walter Noddack, Ida Tacke and Otto Berg. Its name comes from Rhenus, the Latin name for the Rhine River, and it was one of the last naturally occurring stable elements to be discovered.
Rhenium-185
Natural abundance: About 37.4%. Stable natural rhenium isotope.Rhenium-187
Natural abundance: About 62.6%. Half-life: About 4.16 x 10¹⁰ years. Long-lived beta emitter that decays to osmium-187 and is used in Re-Os dating.Re₂O₇
Rhenium(VII) OxideHigh-oxidation-state rhenium oxide and catalyst precursor.ReO₄⁻
Perrhenate IonKey rhenium oxyanion used in rhenium chemistry and radiopharmaceutical work.ReS₂
Rhenium DisulfideLayered semiconductor material studied for electronics and catalysis.W-Re
Tungsten-Rhenium AlloyHigh-temperature thermocouple and refractory alloy material.- Nickel-based superalloys for single-crystal jet-engine turbine blades
- Platinum-rhenium catalysts for petroleum reforming and high-octane fuels
- Tungsten-rhenium thermocouples for very high-temperature measurement
- Re-Os isotope dating of sulfide ores, meteorites and mantle rocks
- Rhenium radioisotopes in targeted radiotherapy research
Rhenium has no known essential biological role. Radioactive rhenium isotopes such as rhenium-186 and rhenium-188 are studied for radiotherapy and nuclear medicine applications.
- Rhenium is among the rarest stable metals in Earth’s crust.
- Small rhenium additions can greatly improve creep resistance in nickel turbine superalloys.
- Re-187 decays to Os-187, creating a useful isotope clock for geology.
- Rhenium was discovered after many common elements because it is rare and widely dispersed rather than concentrated in obvious ores.
- Rhenium has atomic number 75 and is a group 7 transition metal.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s².
- Rhenium can reach high oxidation states, especially +7.
- Remember Re for superalloys, Pt-Re catalysts and Re-Os dating.
What is the atomic number of rhenium?
The atomic number of rhenium is 75.
What is the electron configuration of rhenium?
Rhenium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s².
What is rhenium used for?
Rhenium is used in jet-engine superalloys, platinum-rhenium catalysts, high-temperature thermocouples, isotope dating and radiotherapy research.
Why is rhenium used in jet engines?
Rhenium improves high-temperature creep resistance in nickel-based superalloys used for turbine blades.
What is Re-Os dating?
Re-Os dating uses the slow decay of rhenium-187 to osmium-187 to date sulfide ores, meteorites and mantle rocks.
Is rhenium rare?
Yes. Rhenium is one of the rarest naturally occurring stable metals in Earth’s crust.