Davyum, a Possible Precursor of Rhenium (Element 75)

ON June 28, 1877, the Russian chemist, Kern, claimed 1 to have discovered a new element in platinum residues. A solution left after the removal of platinum, iridium and rhodium was concentrated with ammonium chloride and nitrate and gave a dark red precipitate. On ignition, this left a grey spongy mass that fused in the oxyhydrogen flame to a silvery ingot of a new metal which Kern called ‘davyum’ (Da), as he himself says, in honour of the great English chemist. Only 0.27 gm. of davyum was obtained and its density was given as 9.385 at 25° C.