Discovered in 1803 by Wollaston. Palladium is found along with platinum and other metals of the platinum group in placer deposits of Russia, South and North America, Ethiopia, and Australia.
Natural palladium contains six stable isotopes.
Twenty five other isotopes are recognized, all of which are radioactive. It is also found associated with the nickel-copper deposits of South Africa and Ontario. Its separation from the platinum metals depends upon the type of ore in which it is found. It is a steel-white metal, does not tarnish in air, and is the least dense and lowest melting of the platinum group of metals. Palladium is attacked by nitric and sulfuric acid.