Elements · ← Mo Molybdenum · Ru Ruthenium →
Technetium-99m is a workhorse radioisotope for medical scans.
| Symbol | Tc |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 43 |
| Atomic mass | 96.90636(no standard atomic weight: the element has no stable isotopes or characteristic natural composition; PubChem lists this isotope mass) |
| Group | 7 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Standard state | Solid |
| Discovered | 1937 |
Source: PubChem, Technetium (periodic table data, retrieved 2026-10-19). Group and period follow the standard 18-column periodic table.
Hauser and colleagues combined technetium-99m with the chelating agent DTPA to make an agent for scanning the brain and kidneys; about 90% was cleared by the kidneys within 24 hours.
As reported in: Hauser, Atkins, Nelson et al. (1970). Technetium-99m DTPA: A New Radiopharmaceutical for Brain and Kidney Scanning. Radiology. doi:10.1148/94.3.679
Abstract only
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