[Urbanium]

In one recent example of the Inorganic chemistry exam, there was a task asking approximately "what would be the easiest way in number of steps to isolate platinum from potassium hexacyanoplatinate"?

I wasn't quite sure about the answer, I think I would try to do some ligand exchange and then try to precipitate a hydroxyde, heat it to get the oxide and then reduce with e.g. coal to get the metal out. But it seems it takes too many steps. Any wise suggestion?

[Hunter2]

I think adding of magnesium or zinc would do a reduction.

[Borek]

I would try roasting in the air.

[Urbanium]

One thing came up to my mind: what about the electrolysis of potassium hexacyanoplatinate?

I think adding of magnesium or zinc would do a reduction.

Directly to the hexacyanoplatinate solution?

I would try roasting in the air.

The initial hexacyanoplatinate? Wouldn't that give an oxide?

[Hunter2]

Electrolysis: Check where is your platinum cation or anion?

Yes directly to the hexacyanoplatinate solution.

The oxidation by roastin gwill give the metall platinum and potassiumoxid/carbonate probably, what can be washed away later on.

[Borek]

Don't forget potassium hexacyanoplatinate is weakly soluble, so wet chemistry can be challenging.

[Urbanium]

Update:

the exam went mostly fine. When it comes to the platinum group complexes, the example was not the former hexacyanoplatinate but potassium (II) tetrachloroplatinate.

How would you isolate Pt from that one with least steps possible?

I assume that roasting in the air would not work? I read that this complex is soluble in water. Could Mg or Zn do the reduction, or some other approach with small number of steps is better?

[Urbanium]

Anyone?

[unsu]

Draft ideas:

K₂[PtCl₄] + H₂ = Pt + 2KCl + 2HCl (~200 °C)

K₂[PtCl₄] + H[SnCl₃] + HCl(conc) = Pt + H₂[SnCl₆] + 2KCl

K₂[PtCl₄] + HCOOK = Pt + CO₂ + 3KCl + HCl

[Arkcon]

The initial hexacyanoplatinate? Wouldn't that give an oxide?

Platinum oxide?  No, that's not how its made: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams%27s_catalyst