Thallium
☠️ In Your World
Thallium is a soft, heavy metal with a dark reputation. Its tasteless, odorless, and water-soluble compounds made it a notorious and untraceable poison, earning it the nickname "The Poisoner's Poison" and "Inheritance Powder." Due to its extreme toxicity, its former use in rat poisons and insecticides has been banned in most countries. Today, its use is limited to highly specialized applications in electronics and infrared optics.
📖 The Discovery Story
Thallium was discovered in 1861 by English chemist Sir William Crookes using the new technique of flame spectroscopy. While examining residues from a sulfuric acid plant, he observed a brilliant, previously unknown bright green spectral line. He named the new element "thallium" from the Greek word thallos, meaning "a green shoot or twig," in honor of this beautiful green line.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 304 °C / 579 °F |
| Boiling Point | 1473 °C / 2683 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s²6p¹ |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.000085% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Thallium and its compounds are extremely toxic and are suspected carcinogens. The metal can be absorbed through the skin, and poisoning can occur through ingestion or inhalation. A classic symptom of thallium poisoning is hair loss, along with severe damage to the nervous system. It must be handled with extreme caution and appropriate protective equipment.