Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Summary and Comparative Aspects of the Actinide Elements

  • Chapter
The Chemistry of the Actinide Elements

Abstract

This chapter is intended to provide a unified view of selected aspects of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the actinide elements. The f-block elements have many unique features, and a comparison of the lanthanide and actinide transition series provides valuable insights into the properties of both. Comparative data are presented on the electronic configurations, oxidation states, redox potentials, thermochemical data, crystal structures, and ionic radii of the actinide elements, together with a miscellany of topics related to their environmental and health aspects. Much of this material is assembled in tabular and graphical form to facilitate rapid access. Many of the topics covered in this chapter, and some that are not discussed here, are the subjects of subsequent chapters of this work, and these may be consulted for more comprehensive treatments. This chapter provides a welcome opportunity to discuss the biological and environmental aspects of the actinide elements, subjects that were barely mentioned in the first edition of this work but have assumed great importance in recent times.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Martin, D. (1985) The New York Times, March 3, p. 4f.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hyde, E. K., Perlman, I., Seaborg, G. T. (1964) Nuclear Properties of the Heavy Elements, vol. II, Detailed Radioactivity Properties, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Seaborg, G. T. (ed.) (1978) Transuranium Elements. Benchmark Papers in Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics, vol. 1, Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Stroudsburg, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Seaborg, G. T. (1963) Man-Made Transuranium Elements, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Choppin, G. R., Rydberg, J. (1980) Nuclear Chemistry, Pergamon Press, Oxford, p. 249.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Keller, O. L., Jr, Hoffman, D. C., Penneman, R. A., Choppin, G. R. (1984) Phys. Today, March, 35–41.

    Google Scholar 

  7. National Research Council (1983) Opportunities and Challenges in Research with Transplutonium Elements, National Research Council, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ghiorso, A. (1982) in Actinides in Perspective (ed. N. M. Edelstein), Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp. 23–56.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ref. 5, pp. 347 64.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gmelin Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, Suppl. Ser., Transurane, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, part A2, The Elements (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Benes, P., Majer, V. (1980) Tracer Chemistry of Aqueous Solutions, Elsevier, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  12. National Academy of Sciences (1959-74) Series on Radiochemistry: Stevenson, P. C., Nervik, W. E. (1961) Actinium, NAS-NS-3020; Hyde, E. (1960) Thorium, NAS-NS- 3004; Kirby, H. W. (1959) Protactinium, NAS-NS-3016; Gindler, J. (1961) Uranium, NAS-NS-3050; Burney, G. A., Harbour, R. M. (1974) Neptunium, NAS-NS-3060, Roleman, G. H., HofT, R. W. (1965) Plutonium, NAS-NS-3058; Penneman, R. A., Keenan, R. K. (1960) Americium and Curium, NAS-NS-3006; Higgins.G. H. (1960) The Transcurium Elements, NAS-NS-303I.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Gmelin Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, Suppl. Ser., Transurane, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg & New York, parts Dl and D2, Chemistry in Solution (1974, 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Seaborg, G. T. and Katz, J. J. (eds) (1954) The Actinide Elements, Natl Nucl. En. Ser., Div. IV, 14A, McGraw-Hill. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Seaborg, G. T., Katz, J. J., Manning, W. M. (eds) (1949) The Transuranium Elements: Research Papers, Natl Nucl. En. Ser., Div. IV, 14B, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ref. 7, p. 81.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sullivan, J. C., Gordon. S., Mulac. W. A., Schmidt. K. H., Cohen. D., Sjoblom. R. (1976) Inorg. Chem. Lett, 12, 599–601.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Sullivan. J. C., Gordon, S., Cohen. D., Mulac. W., Schmidt, K. H. (1976) J. Phys. Chem, 80, 1684–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gordon, S., Mulac, W., Schmidt, K. H., Sjoblom, R. K., Sullivan, J. C. (1978) Inorg. Chem, 17, 294–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Sullivan. J. C., Morss, L. R.. Schmidt, K. H., Mulac, W. A., Gordon, S. (1982) Inorg. Chem, 22, 2338–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Mikheev, N. B. (1984) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 94, 241–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Newton, T. W. (1975) The Kinetics of Oxidation-Reduction Reactions of Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium and Americium in Aqueous Solution, TID-26506.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Baes, C. F. Mesmer, R. E. (1976) The Hydrolysis of Cations. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Burgess, J. (1978) Metal Ions in Solution, Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Freeman, A. J., Darby, J. B., Jr (eds) (1974) The Actinides: Electronic Structure and Related Properties, vols I and II, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Keller. C. (1971) The Chemistry of the Transuranium Elements, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Haire, R. G. in ref. 8, pp. 309–42.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Brown, D., Tso, T. C., Whittaker, B. (1977) J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2291–6.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Spirlet. J. C. (1979) J. Phys. Colloq. C4 40. 87–94.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Spirlet. J. C. in Ref. 8. pp. 361–80.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Um, D. J., Darby. J. B., Jr, and Ncvitt. M. V. in Ref. 25, vol. II. pp. 119 - 84.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Smith. J. L., Kmetko, E. A. (1983) J. Less Common Metals, 90. 83–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Benedict. U. (1984) J. Less Common Metals, 100, 153–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Roof. R. B. (1982) Z. Kristallogr, 158. 307–12.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Smith. J. L., Spirlet, J. C., Müller, W. (1979) Science, 205, 188–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Smith. J. L., Haire. R. G. (1978) Science, 200, 535–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Smith. J. L., Fisk, Z., Willis. J. D., Haire. R. G. (1982) Los Alamos National Laboratory Report LA-UP-82-2624.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Shannon. R. D. (1976) Acta Crystallogr. A, 32. 751–67 (see also Chapters 17 and 20).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Müller. W., Lindner, R. (eds) (1975) Transplutonium 1975, Proc. 4th Int. Transplutonium Symp., Baden-Baden, Sept. 13–17,1975, North-Holland, Amsterdam; Müller, W. and Blank, H. (eds) (1975) Heavy Element Properties, Proc. Joint Session Transplutonium Element Symp. and 5th Int. Conf. on Plutonium and Other Actinides, Baden-Baden. Sept. 13, 1975, North-Holland, Amsterdam & Oxford, American Elsevier, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Gmelin Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, Suppl. Ser., Transurane, Springer- Verlag, Berlin, part C, The Compounds (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Müller, W. (1983) Chem. Z, 106, 105–12

    Google Scholar 

  42. Morss, L. R., Edelstein, N. (1984) J. Less Common Metals. 100, 15–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Anderson. J. S. (1970) in Modern Aspects of Solid State Chemistry (ed. C. N. R. Rao), Plenum, New York, pp. 29–105.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Morss, L. R. in Ref. 8, pp. 381–407.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Keally, T. J., Pauson, P. L. (1951) Nature, 168, 1039–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Reynolds. L. T., Wilkinson. G. (1956) J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem, 2. 246–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Baumgärtner, F., Fischer, F.. O., Laubereau, P. (1965) Naturwissenschaften, 52. 560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Marks. T. J., Fischer, R. D. (eds) (1979) Organometallics of the f-Elements, Reidel. Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Marks, T. J., Ernst, R. D. (1982) Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry, vol. 3, Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp. 173–270.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  50. Kanellakopulos, B. (1979) in Organometallics of the f-Elements (eds T. J. Marks., R. D. Fischer). Reidel. Dordrecht, pp. 1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Marks, T. J. (1982) Science, 217, 989–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Streitwieser, A., Jr.,Müller-Westerhoiff, U. (1968) J. Am. Chem. Soc, 90, 7364.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Streitwieser. A.. Jr, in Ref. 48, pp. 149–77.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Marks. T. J., Seyam, A. M., Kolb. J. R. (1973) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 95. 5529–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Brandi, G., Brunelli. M. Lugli. G-.,Mazzei, A. (1973) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 7, 319–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Gebala, A. E,. Tsutsui, M. (1973) J. Am. Chem. Soc, 95, 91–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Allard. B., Olofsson, V., Torstenfeit, B. (1984) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 94, 205–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Bidoglio, G., De Piano, A.. Avogadro. A., Murray. C. N. (1984) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 95. 1–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Scoppa. P. (1984) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 95. 23–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Walters, R. L., Hakonson, T. E., Lane, L. J. (1983) Radiochim. Acta, 32. 89–103.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Hanson. W. C. (ed.) (1980) Transuranic Elements in the Environment, DOE/TIC-22800.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Hoffman, D. C. Lawrence. F. D., Mewherter, J. L., Rourke. F. M. (1971) Nature, 234, 132–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Maurette, M. (1976) Annu. Rev. Nucl. Sci, 26. 319–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Choppin and Rydberg, in ref. 5, pp. 456–60.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Nenot, J. C., Melivier, H. (1984) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 94, 165–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. In ref. 5, pp. 502–59.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Topp. S. V. (ed.) (1982) Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management, Materials Research Society Symp. Proc., vol. 6. Elsevier. Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Bulman, R. A. (1980) Coord. Chem. Rev.. 31. 221–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Thompson. R. C. (1982) Radial. Res., 90. 1–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Boocock. G., Popplewell, D. S. (1965) Nature, 208. 282–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Raymond, K. N., Smith, W. L. (1981) Struct. Bonding (Berlin), 43, 159–86

    Google Scholar 

  72. Raymond, K. N., Freeman, G. E., Kappel, M. J. (1984) Inorg. Chim. Acta, 94. 193–204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Taylor, D. M. (1972) Health Phys, 22, 575–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Barton. P. G. (1968) J. Biol. Chem., 243. 3884–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Boocock, G., Danpure, C. J., Popplewell, D. S., Taylor. D. M. (1976) Radial. Res, 42. 381–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Mahlum, D. D. (1967) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol., 11. 264–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Bulman, R. A., Griffin. R. G. (1980) Metab. Bone Dis. Relat. Res, 2. 281–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Durbin. P. W. (1975) Health Phys, 29. 495–510.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Finkle. R. (1940) University of Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory Report CH-3783 (MDDC-1140).

    Google Scholar 

  80. Voelz, G. L.. Grier, R. S., Hempelmann, L. H. (1985) Health Phys, 48, 249–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Durbin. P. W. (1973) Handb. Exp. Pharmacol., 36. 739–896.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Vaughn. J.. Bleany. B., Taylor. D. M. (1973) Handb. Exp. Pharmacol., 36. 349–502.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Schubert. J. (1955) Annu. Rev. Nucl. Sci., 5, 369–412.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Taylor, G. N. (1978) Health Phys, 35. 201–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. James. A. C., Taylor. D. M. (1971) Health Phys, 21. 31–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Rosenthal. M. W., Lindenbaum. A. (1967) Radiat. Res., 31, 506–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Smith. V. H. (1972) Health Phys, 22. 765–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Raymond. K. N., Koppel. M. J., Pecoraro, V. L., Harris. W. R., Carrano. C. J.. Weill. F. L., Durbin. P. W. (1982) in ref. 8. pp. 491–507.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Raymond. K. N., Carrano, C. J. (1979) Acc. Chem. Res., 12. 183–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Durbin, P. W., Jones, E. S., Raymond, K. N., Weill. F. L. (1980) Radiat. Res., 81. 170–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Weill, F. L., Raymond, K. N., Durbin. P. W. (1981) J. Med. Chem., 24, 203–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Macfarlanc. R. D., Torgcrson, D. F. (1976) Science, 191, 985–91.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Hunt, J. E., Schaber, P. M., Michalski,T. J., Dougherty, R.C., Katz, J. J. (1983) Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys, 53. 45–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Murayama. Y., in ref. 7, pp. 339–52.

    Google Scholar 

  95. Zachariasen. W. H. (1971) J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem., 35. 3487–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Joseph J. Katz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lester R. Morss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Glenn T. Seaborg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Division, Argonne National Laboratory, USA

    Joseph J. Katz  & Lester R. Morss  & 

  2. Chemistry Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, USA

    Glenn T. Seaborg

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1986 Chapman and Hall LTD

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Katz, J.J., Morss, L.R., Seaborg, G.T. (1986). Summary and Comparative Aspects of the Actinide Elements. In: Katz, J.J., Seaborg, G.T., Morss, L.R. (eds) The Chemistry of the Actinide Elements. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3155-8_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3155-8_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7918-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3155-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation