Comparing the 2, 2′‐Biphenylenedithiophosphinate Binding of Americium with Neodymium and Europium. Issue 41 (15th September 2016) - Cross, Justin N.
Abstract: Advancing our understanding of the minor actinides (Am, Cm) versus lanthanides is key for developing advanced nuclear‐fuel cycles. Herein, we describe the preparation of (NBu4 )Am[S2 P( t Bu2 C12 H6 )]4 and two isomorphous lanthanide complexes, namely one with a similar ionic radius (i.e., Nd III ) and an isoelectronic one (Eu III ). The results include the first measurement of an Am−S bond length, with a mean value of 2.921(9) Å, by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Comparison with the Eu III and Nd III complexes revealed subtle electronic differences between the complexes of Am III and the lanthanides. Abstract : An americium biphenylenedithiophosphinate complex was synthesized and analyzed by various spectroscopic methods. The first measurement of an Am−S bond in a single crystal yielded a mean bond length of 2.921(9) Å. The complex also features Am III luminescence. The photographs show crystals under white‐light irradiation and under excitation at λ =365 nm.