Platinum Ditelluride, PtTe₂

Platinum Ditelluride, PtTe₂, results on heating an intimate mixture of finely divided platinum with a slight excess of tellurium above that theoretically required. The product is treated with concentrated potash solution to remove excess of tellurium, and the telluride remains as a grey, crystalline, insoluble powder.

When platinum is dissolved in a great excess of molten tellurium under borax and the mass allowed to cool slowly, the ditelluride crystallises out in octahedra and may be separated from the excess of tellurium by treatment with cold, dilute nitric acid.

Platinum ditelluride is but slowly attacked by boiling nitric acid, whilst boiling potash solution is without action upon it.