| Abstract Scope |
While the chemistry of the early actinides, including thorium, uranium, neptunium, and plutonium, has been studied rather extensively in both solution and solid-state phases, much less is known about the transplutonium elements, americium (Am) through californium (Cf). As such, we are motivated to explore the chemical behavior of Am–Cf in aqueous solutions to provide insight into the speciation, charge, and reactivity of these elements in scenarios relevant to actinide separations. These complexation studies are also foundational in understanding the coordination of the transplutonium elements in relation to the early actinides to inform periodicity across the 5f series. The work will also be discussed alongside analogous studies performed with lanthanide surrogates. |