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What
the name means:
The name thallium derives from the Greek
word thallos, meaning a “budding,
green twig”.
Who
identified
thallium? In
1861, British chemist, Sir William Crookes
analysed a sample of residue from an
industrial plant that produced sulphuric
acid. He had been given the sample because
he was interested in finding out if it
contained the elements selenium and
tellurium. Spectroscopic analysis did not
show either of these two elements as being
present. However, Crookes saw a vivid green
line that did not correspond to any known
element at that time. He deduced that he
had identified a new element that he called
thallium on account of its spectrum. A year
later, in 1862, a French chemist named
Claude-Auguste Lamy used electrolysis to
isolate thallium.
About
thallium:
Thallium is a soft, silvery-grey metal that
tarnishes quickly in the air to form a
grey-blue coating. It is a very toxic
element that was once used in rat poisons
but was considered to dangerous and its use
has now been discontinued. |
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