Element / isotope identity
Atomic number, isotope identity and discovery evidence are experimentally/evaluatively grounded.
Electron configuration
Very-heavy-element configurations are theory/evaluation-led; ordinary elements use evaluated ground-state references.
Bulk material structure
The Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) reference is represented by a simplified teaching cell.
Phase / density data
Unknown values stay unknown; reported values are tied to the elemental material reference.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Rhenium (Re)
Rhenium is element 75. This guide connects its periodic-table identity to evidence-aware structure, isotopes, uses, discovery and the search questions learners actually ask.
Rhenium atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Rhenium: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does rhenium have?
Rhenium’s atomic number is 75, so every rhenium atom has 75 protons, and a neutral atom also has 75 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, rhenium-187, has 112 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for rhenium?
The chemical symbol for rhenium is Re.
Is rhenium a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Rhenium is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is rhenium in?
Rhenium is a transition metal, in group 7, period 6 of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of rhenium?
The ground-state electron configuration of rhenium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s².
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
75 protons define rhenium.
Ground-state/reference configuration frames atomic behavior; heavy-element predictions remain evidence-labelled.
Periodic position organizes trends without replacing element-specific evidence.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Measured structures are visualized; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Rhenium in its period and family
Rhenium is element 75 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Rhenium Visual Lab
Explore Re across the teaching nucleus, isolated-atom orbitals, evidence-aware material structure and temperature/evidence views, then connect those models to uses, isotopes, search-led questions and source-backed context.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Rhenium in one minute
Atomic number 75 means every rhenium nucleus has 75 protons.
The ground-state/reference electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s².
The representative teaching isotope is ¹⁸⁷Re.
Rhenium combines very high melting temperature with unusual scarcity. Pure Re must be distinguished from rhenium-bearing superalloys and catalytic compounds, which are the forms behind most practical uses.
Material structure status: Hexagonal close-packed (HCP).
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 13 · 2 electrons
Displayed orbitals are isolated-atom, nonrelativistic teaching probability models. They are not bulk-band structures, bonding orbitals or direct measured electron-density maps; relativistic effects become especially important for very heavy elements.
The viewer represents the reviewed Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) material reference for elemental Rhenium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
Displayed orbitals are isolated-atom, nonrelativistic teaching probability models. They are not bulk-band structures, bonding orbitals or direct measured electron-density maps; relativistic effects become especially important for very heavy elements.
Where do I meet rhenium?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature turbine components
This context uses Rhenium or a rhenium-containing material; the element and its compounds/isotopes are kept distinct.
Rhenium metal → engineered materials → evidence boundary
The same element can appear in very different materials; the page keeps elemental structure separate from compounds, alloys and isotope-specific applications.
Hexagonal close-packed (HCP)
Elemental Rhenium uses the reviewed ordinary structure shown in the Visual Lab.
Rhenium in periodic context
Compare nearby or family-related elements without treating a periodic trend as a substitute for element-specific evidence.
| Atomic number | 74 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
| Atomic number | 75 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
| Atomic number | 76 |
|---|---|
| Context | neighbor / series |
Rhenium properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 75 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 186.207 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵ 6s² | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group 7 · Period 6 · d-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 1.90 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁸⁷Re | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Dense silvery refractory metal | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 20.8 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) | The viewer represents the reviewed Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) material reference for elemental Rhenium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Measured |
| Classification | Transition metal | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | The viewer represents the reviewed Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) material reference for elemental Rhenium. It is a teaching model, not a refined crystallographic coordinate set or a model of every compound. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 3458 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | 5863 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Phase-path context | At approximately standard pressure, rhenium is treated as solid below 3458 K, liquid between the melting and boiling references, and gas above 5863 K. Solid-state allotropy is only shown where explicitly reviewed. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary electrical behavior | Metallic conductor | Qualitative bulk behavior; exact resistivity depends on temperature, purity and alloy state. | Measured |
| Conduction model | Collective solid-state electrons | Do not interpret isolated-atom orbital clouds as literal current paths. | Reviewed |
| Surface / compound caveat | Oxides, salts and alloys can behave differently from the pure metal | Material context | Reviewed |
| Engineering values | Condition-dependent | Use condition-specific materials data for engineering calculations. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | +7, +6, +4, +2, −1 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Re³⁺ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Rhenium is element 75 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁸⁷Re | Reference teaching isotope | Mass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass. | Evaluated |
| Isotope evidence | Element-specific nuclear context | Half-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁸⁷Re · 75 protons + 112 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
Is Rhenium a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
At approximately standard pressure, rhenium is treated as solid below 3458 K, liquid between the melting and boiling references, and gas above 5863 K. Solid-state allotropy is only shown where explicitly reviewed.
Where on Earth is Rhenium found or produced?
Who discovered Rhenium, and when?
Walter Noddack, Ida Tacke and Otto Berg identified rhenium; later work clarified earlier spectral observations by Masataka Ogawa.
The element name and discovery story are part of the historical record; search-led questions are answered without turning history into scientific evidence for bulk properties.
Current use is described at the level supported by the element’s availability and evidence, with research-only elements kept research-only.
From source material to Rhenium applications: high-level material path
Rhenium enters supply chains through ores, by-products or specialized refining routes rather than through the educational structure shown here.
Industrial separation/refining produces metal or element-specific compounds; this guide does not provide operational extraction recipes.
The refined material is converted into the particular alloy, compound, device or catalyst needed by the application.
Recycling and recovery depend on host material and economics; application materials must not be confused with pure element.
What is rhenium used for?
Nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature turbine components
Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal.
Rhenium-containing catalysts
Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal.
Electrical contacts and refractory alloy applications
Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal.
Rhenium isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁸⁷Re
Reference teaching isotopeMass number belongs to a specific isotope and is not the same thing as relative atomic mass.
Isotope evidence
Element-specific nuclear contextHalf-life and decay properties are isotope-specific; the page does not generalize one isotope to all atoms.
Five-question Rhenium check
What is Rhenium’s atomic number?
Which statement best describes the material evidence for Rhenium?
What is the safest rule for Rhenium uses?
Rhenium questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is rhenium?
Short answer: Rhenium is chemical element 75, symbol Re, classified here as transition metal.
Atomic number 75 means every rhenium nucleus contains 75 protons. In the periodic table, Rhenium is classified here as a transition metal in Period 6 and Group 7. Rhenium is element 75 in Period 6. Its d-block/series position provides useful periodic context, but element-specific experimental evidence takes priority over simple trend extrapolation.
Key point: Re is element 75; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is the atomic number of rhenium?
Short answer: The atomic number is 75, meaning every rhenium nucleus has 75 protons.
Atomic number is defined by proton count, so 75 protons are what make an atom rhenium. A neutral rhenium atom also has 75 electrons, while isotopes can have different neutron counts without changing the element.
Key point: Atomic number = proton count.
What is rhenium used for?
Short answer: Rhenium is used mainly in high-temperature superalloys, selected catalysts and wear-resistant electrical contacts.
Nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature turbine components: Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal. Rhenium-containing catalysts: Element-specific use context; compounds/alloys are distinguished from pure metal. Rhenium combines very high melting temperature with unusual scarcity. Pure Re must be distinguished from rhenium-bearing superalloys and catalytic compounds, which are the forms behind most practical uses.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Why is rhenium rare?
Short answer: Rhenium is extremely scarce in Earth’s crust and is commonly recovered as a by-product from molybdenum-processing streams.
Rhenium combines very high melting temperature with unusual scarcity. Pure Re must be distinguished from rhenium-bearing superalloys and catalytic compounds, which are the forms behind most practical uses.
Key point: The mechanism matters: connect the observed behavior to electron structure, bonding, phase or the specific material form rather than memorizing the result alone.
What is the symbol for rhenium?
Short answer: The chemical symbol is Re and the atomic number is 75.
The symbol Re is the standardized chemical abbreviation for element 75. In a chemical formula, Re identifies rhenium atoms; a compound containing Re is not automatically the same material as elemental rhenium.
Key point: Re always identifies element 75.
Scientific sources for Rhenium
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Rhenium
- NIST - Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- IUPAC - Periodic Table of Elements
Found an error, something unclear, or a missing topic?
Tell us what you noticed. Feedback goes to a private review queue and is never published automatically.