Search

The Hyperspectral X-ray Imaging (HXI) project will enable non-destructive chemical-state determination of nano-scale samples in the electron microscope for nuclear safeguards applications. To efficiently measure chemical state through electron-excited X-ray emission requires a combination of wide spectral bandwidth, high resolution, and high count rate capability. We are building a next-generation X-ray detector based on an array of transition edge sensors (TESs) to make these measurements possible and routine in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Leveraging the large pixel densities afforded by microwave multiplexing readout and continuous, uninterrupted operation of a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator, this instrument will have efficiency to allow chemical species identification of nano-scale samples in hours instead of days to weeks. We describe prototype pixel designs for this HXI instrument, comprising three pixel types that will make up the hybrid TES array. Engineering design of the integrated HXI cryostat and SEM system is in progress, with full detector commissioning expected in Spring 2021 followed closely by full-scale integration with the SEM. We also report on the commissioning of a complementary TES-based X-ray emission spectroscopy platform for bulk samples to build a spectral library for HXI sample identification.

The recent isolation of molecular tetravalent lanthanide complexes has enabled renewed exploration of the effect of oxidation state on the single-ion properties of the lanthanide ions. Despite the isotropic nature of the 8S ground state in a tetravalent terbium complex, [Tb(NP(1,2-bis-tBu-diamidoethane)(NEt2))4], preliminary X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements on tetravalent terbium complexes show rich spectra with broad resonances. The complexity of these spectra highlights the limits of conventional X-band EPR for even qualitative determination of zero-field splitting (ZFS) in these complexes. Therefore, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel valence series of 4f7 molecular complexes spanning three oxidation states (Eu2+, Gd3+, and Tb4+) featuring a weak-field imidophosphorane ligand system, and employ high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) to obtain quantitative values for ZFS across this valence series. The series was designed to minimize deviation in the first coordination sphere from the pseudotetrahedral geometry in order to directly interrogate the role of metal identity and charge on the complexes' electronic structures. These HFEPR studies are supported by crystallographic analysis and quantum-chemical calculations to assess the relative covalent interactions in each member of this valence series and the effect of the oxidation state on the splitting of the ground state and first excited state.

A number of technologies would benefit from developing inorganic compounds and materials with specific electronic and magnetic exchange properties. Unfortunately, designing compounds with these properties is difficult because metal⋅⋅⋅metal coupling schemes are hard to predict and control. Fully characterizing communication between metals in existing compounds that exhibit interesting properties could provide valuable insight and advance those predictive capabilities. One such class of molecules are the series of Lindqvist iron-functionalized and hexavanadium polyoxovanadate-alkoxide clusters, which we characterized here using V K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Substantial changes in the pre-edge peak intensities were observed that tracked with the V 3d-electron count. The data also suggested substantial delocalization between the vanadium cations. Meanwhile, the FeIII cations were electronically isolated from the polyoxovanadate core.

Actinium-225 (225Ac) is an excellent candidate for targeted radiotherapeutic applications for treating cancer, because of its 10-day half-life and emission of four high-energy α2+ particles. To harness and direct the energetic potential of actinium, strongly binding chelators that remain stable in vivo during biological targeting must be developed. Unfortunately, controlling chelation for actinium remains challenging. Actinium is the largest +3 cation on the periodic table and has a 6d05f0 electronic configuration, and its chemistry is relatively unexplored. Herein, we present theoretical work focused on improving the understanding of actinium bonding with macrocyclic chelating agents as a function of (1) macrocycle ring size, (2) the number and identity of metal binding functional groups, and (3) the length of the tether linking the metal binding functional group to the macrocyclic backbone. Actinium binding by these chelators is presented within the context of complexation with DOTA4-, the most relevant Ac3+ binding agent for contemporary radiopharmaceutical applications. The results enabled us to develop a new strategy for actinium chelator design. The approach is rooted in our identification that Ac3+-chelation chemistry is dominated by ionic bonding interactions and relies on (1) maximizing electrostatic interactions between the metal binding functional group and the Ac3+ cation and (2) minimizing electronic repulsion between negatively charged actinium binding functional groups. This insight will provide a foundation for future innovation in developing the next generation of multifunctional actinium chelators.

Radionuclides find widespread use in medical technologies for treating and diagnosing disease. Among successful and emerging radiotherapeutics, 119Sb has unique potential in targeted therapeutic applications for low-energy electron-emitting isotopes. Unfortunately, developing 119Sb-based drugs has been slow in comparison to other radionuclides, primarily due to limited accessibility. Herein is a production method that overcomes this challenge and expands the available time for large-scale distribution and use. Our approach exploits high flux and fluence from high-energy proton sources to produce longer lived 119mTe. This parent isotope slowly decays to 119Sb, which in turn provides access to 119Sb for longer time periods (in comparison to direct 119Sb production routes). We contribute the target design, irradiation conditions, and a rapid procedure for isolating the 119mTe/119Sb pair. To guide process development and to understand why the procedure was successful, we characterized the Te/Sb separation using Te and Sb K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The procedure provides low-volume aqueous solutions that have high 119mTe—and consequently 119Sb—specific activity in a chemically pure form. This procedure has been demonstrated at large-scale (production-sized, Ci quantities), and the product has potential to meet stringent Food and Drug Administration requirements for a 119mTe/119Sb active pharmaceutical ingredient., A large-scale production method for 119mTe and 119Sb from an Sb target is described, with X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements providing insight into the success of the chemical separations.

Dichalcogenolene platinum(II) diimine complexes, (LE,E′)Pt(bpy), are characterized by charge-separated dichalcogenolene donor (LE,E′) → diimine acceptor (bpy) ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LL′CT) excited states that lead to their interesting photophysics and potential use in solar energy conversion applications. Despite the intense interest in these complexes, the chalcogen dependence on the lifetime of the triplet LL′CT excited state remains unexplained. Three new (LE,E′)Pt(bpy) complexes with mixed chalcogen donors exhibit decay rates that are dominated by a spin–orbit mediated nonradiative pathway, the magnitude of which is proportional to the anisotropic covalency provided by the mixed-chalcogen donor ligand environment. This anisotropic covalency is dramatically revealed in the 13C NMR chemical shifts of the donor carbons that bear the chalcogens and is further probed by S K-edge XAS. Remarkably, the NMR chemical shift differences also correlate with the spin–orbit matrix element that connects th...

A major chemical challenge facing implementation of 225Ac in targeted alpha therapy-an emerging technology that has potential for treatment of disease-is identifying an 225Ac chelator that is compatible with in vivo applications. It is unclear how to tailor a chelator for Ac binding because Ac coordination chemistry is poorly defined. Most Ac chemistry is inferred from radiochemical experiments carried out on microscopic scales. Of the few Ac compounds that have been characterized spectroscopically, success has only been reported for simple inorganic ligands. Toward advancing understanding in Ac chelation chemistry, we have developed a method for characterizing Ac complexes that contain highly complex chelating agents using small quantities (μg) of 227Ac. We successfully characterized the chelation of Ac3+ by DOTP8- using EXAFS, NMR, and DFT techniques. To develop confidence and credibility in the Ac results, comparisons with +3 cations (Am, Cm, and La) that could be handled on the mg scale were carried out. We discovered that all M3+ cations (M = Ac, Am, Cm, La) were completely encapsulated within the binding pocket of the DOTP8- macrocycle. The computational results highlighted the stability of the M(DOTP)5- complexes.

Strong spin-dependent delocalization (double exchange) was previously demonstrated for the complexes, NN-Bridge-SQ-Coiii(py)2Cat-Bridge-NN (where NN = S = 12 nitronylnitroxide, Bridge = 1,4-phenylene and single bond, SQ = S = 12 orthobenzosemiquinone, Coiii = low-spin d6 cobalt 3+, and Cat = diamagnetic catecholate). The mixed-valent S = 12 SQ-Coiii-Cat triad results in ferromagnetic alignment of localized (pinned) NN spins which are ∼22 A apart (Bridge = Ph). Herein, we report similar ferromagnetic coupling of localized verdazyl (Vdz) radical spins. The origin of the magnetic exchange results from a second order vibronic effect (pseudo Jahn-Teller effect) in [Vdz-diox-Ru(py)2-diox-Vdz]0, which possesses a diamagnetic [diox-Ru-diox]0 triad by virtue of strong antiferromagnetic SQ-Ruiii exchange.

Uranium complexes (MesDAE)2U(THF) (1-DAE) and Cp2U(MesDAE) (2-DAE) (MesDAE = [ArN-CH2CH2-NAr]; Ar = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (Mes)), bearing redox-innocent diamide ligands, have been synthesized and characterized for a full comparison with previously published, redox-active diimine complexes, (MesDABMe)2U(THF) (1-DAB) and Cp2U(MesDABMe) (2-DAB) (MesDABMe = [ArN═C(Me)C(Me)═NAr]; Ar = Mes). These redox-innocent analogues maintain an analogous steric environment to their redox-active ligand counterparts to facilitate a study aimed at determining the differing electronic behavior around the uranium center. Structural analysis by X-ray crystallography showed 1-DAE and 2-DAE have a structural environment very similar to 1-DAB and 2-DAB, respectively. The main difference occurs with coordination of the ene-backbone to the uranium center in the latter species. Electronic absorption spectroscopy reveals these new DAE complexes are nearly identical to each other. X-ray absorption spectroscopy suggests all four species...

Thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA)-based extractions represent popular methods for separating microscopic amounts of transuranic actinides (i.e., Np and Pu) from macroscopic actinide matrixes (e.g. bulk uranium). It is well-established that this procedure enables +4 actinides to be selectively removed from +3, + 5, and +6 f-elements. However, even highly skilled and well-trained researchers find this process complicated and (at times) unpredictable. It is difficult to improve the HTTA extraction—or find alternatives—because little is understood about why this separation works. Even the identities of the extracted species are unknown. In addressing this knowledge gap, we report here advances in fundamental understanding of the HTTA-based extraction. This effort included comparatively evaluating HTTA complexation with +4 and +3 metals (MIV = Zr, Hf, Ce, Th, U, Np, and Pu vs MIII = Ce, Nd, Sm, and Yb). We observed +4 metals formed neutral complexes of the general formula MIV(TTA)4. Meanwhile, +3 metals formed an...

Reported here is the preparation of azacrown ethers functionalized with catechol groups. The synthetic approach was (1st) novel in that it made use of the Mannich reaction and (2nd) valuable in that it provided an improved synthesis (in terms of practical deployment) of the known N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzyl)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6, H4ChaCha. Moreover, it demonstrated potential application of the synthetic method for accommodating a wide range of catecholate functionalities by using the synthetic strategy to prepare N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxy-5-tert-butylbenzyl)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 (H4tBu2ChaCha) for the first time. These H4ChaCha and H4tBu2ChaCha macrocycles offer exciting opportunity to expand redox chemistry for the f-elements. As “proof-of-principle,” we isolated the unusual tetrameric cluster [La2(tBuChaCha)2]2 from reactions between H4tBu2ChaCha and La[N(SiMe3)2]3. Characterization of [La2(tBuChaCha)2]2 by elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, and UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy suggested that the complex represented a rare example of an f-element semiquinone. It further demonstrated that the combination of La3+ and H4tBu2ChaCha provided access to one-electron oxidation chemistry within redox potential windows that were amenable to mild reaction conditions.

Understanding actinide(III) (AnIII = CmIII, AmIII, AcIII) solution-phase speciation is critical for controlling many actinide processing schemes, ranging from medical applications to reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Unfortunately, in comparison to most elements in the periodic table, AnIII speciation is often poorly defined in complexing aqueous solutions and in organic media. This neglect – in large part – is a direct result of the radioactive properties of these elements, which make them difficult to handle and acquire. Herein, we surmounted some of the handling challenges associated with these exotic 5f-elements and characterized CmIII, AmIII, and AcIII using AnIII L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as a function of increasing nitric acid (HNO3) concentration. Our results revealed that actinide aquo ions, An(H2O)x3+ (x = 9.6 ± 0.7, 8.9 ± 0.8, and 10.0 ± 0.9 for CmIII, AmIII, and AcIII), were the dominant species in dilute HNO3 (0.05 M). In concentrated HNO3 (16 M), shell-by-shell fitting of the extended X-ray fine structure (EXAFS) data showed the nitrate complexation increased, such that the average stoichiometries of Cm(NO3)4.1±0.7(H2O)5.7±1.3(1.1±0.2)−, Am(NO3)3.4±0.7(H2O)5.4±0.5(0.4±0.1)−, and Ac(NO3)2.3±1.7(H2O)8.3±5.2(0.7±0.5)+ were observed. Data obtained at the intermediate HNO3 concentration (4 M) were modeled as a linear combination of the 0.05 and 16 M spectra. For all three metals, the intermediate models showed larger contributions from the 0.05 M HNO3 spectra than from the 16 M HNO3 spectra. Additionally, these efforts enabled the Cm–NO3 and Ac–NO3 distances to be measured for the first time. Moreover, the AnIII L3-edge EXAFS results, contribute to the growing body of knowledge associated with CmIII, AmIII, and AcIII coordination chemistry, in particular toward advancing understanding of AnIII solution phase speciation.

225 Ac is a valuable medical radionuclide for targeted α therapy, but 227 Ac is an undesirable byproduct of an accelerator-based synthesis method under investigation. Sufficient detector sensitivity is critical for quantifying the trace impurity of 227 Ac , with the 227 Ac / 225 Ac activity ratio predicted to be approximately 0.15% by end-of-bombardment (EOB). Superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters offer high resolution energy spectroscopy using the normal-to-superconducting phase transition to measure small changes in temperature. By embedding 225 Ac production samples in a gold foil thermally coupled to a TES microcalorimeter we can measure the decay energies of the radionuclides embedded with high resolution and 100% detection efficiency. This technique, known as decay energy spectroscopy (DES), collapses several peaks from α decays into single Q-value peaks. In practice there are more complex factors in the interpretation of data using DES, which we will discuss herein. Using this technique we measured the EOB 227 Ac impurity to be (0.142 ± 0.005)% for a single production sample. This demonstration has shown that DES is a useful tool for quantitative measurements of complicated spectra.

Charge transfer doping of a nominally disordered conjugated polymer induces long-range conformational ordering (stiffening) of backbone segments. Addition of [2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) to dilute solutions of poly[2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) results in quantitative charge transfer in the ground electronic state of the polymer. Following charge (hole) injection, greater MDMO-PPV monomer coplanarity is evident in electronic, Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra over a broad range of dopant loadings. New transitions emerge at lower energies with spectral patterns distinct from pristine materials but closely resemble minority low energy conformers selectively that can be prepared by careful control of processing conditions. We further demonstrate that characteristic Raman patterns of PPV systems actually contain signatures of a minority ordered form that interacts preferentially with the dopant. Subsequent additions of dopant al...

Developing a better understanding of covalency (or orbital mixing) is of fundamental importance. Covalency occupies a central role in directing chemical and physical properties for almost any given compound or material. Hence, the concept of covalency has potential to generate broad and substantial scientific advances, ranging from biological applications to condensed matter physics. Given the importance of orbital mixing combined with the difficultly in measuring covalency, estimating or inferring covalency often leads to fiery debate. Consider the 60-year controversy sparked by Seaborg and co-workers ( Diamond, R. M.; Street, K., Jr.; Seaborg, G. T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1954 , 76 , 1461 ) when it was proposed that covalency from 5f-orbitals contributed to the unique behavior of americium in chloride matrixes. Herein, we describe the use of ligand K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electronic structure calculations to quantify the extent of covalent bonding in-arguably-one of the most difficult systems to study, the Am-Cl interaction within AmCl

Metal aquo ions occupy central roles in all equilibria that define metal complexation in natural environments. These complexes are used to establish thermodynamic metrics (i.e., stability constants) for predicting metal binding, which are essential for defining critical parameters associated with aqueous speciation, metal chelation, in vivo transport, and so on. As such, establishing the fundamental chemistry of the actinium(III) aquo ion (Ac-aquo ion, Ac(H2O)x3+) is critical for current efforts to develop 225Ac [t1/2 = 10.0(1) d] as a targeted anticancer therapeutic agent. However, given the limited amount of actinium available for study and its high radioactivity, many aspects of actinium chemistry remain poorly defined. We overcame these challenges using the longer-lived 227Ac [t1/2 = 21.772(3) y] isotope and report the first characterization of this fundamentally important Ac-aquo coordination complex. Our X-ray absorption fine structure study revealed 10.9 ± 0.5 water molecules directly coordinated to the AcIII cation with an Ac–OH2O distance of 2.63(1) Å. This experimentally determined distance was consistent with molecular dynamics density functional theory results that showed (over the course of 8 ps) that AcIII was coordinated by 9 water molecules with Ac–OH2O distances ranging from 2.61 to 2.76 Å. The data is presented in the context of other actinide(III) and lanthanide(III) aquo ions characterized by XAFS and highlights the uniqueness of the large AcIII coordination numbers and long Ac–OH2O bond distances., The actinium aquo complex has been characterized using Ac L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and molecular dynamics density functional theory.

The isolation of [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Ln(C5H4SiMe3)3], formally containing LnII, for all lanthanides (excluding Pm) was surprising given that +2 oxidation states are typically regarded as inaccessible for most 4f-elements. Herein, X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), ground-state density functional theory (DFT), and transition dipole moment calculations are used to investigate the possibility that Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) compounds represented molecular LnII complexes. Results from the ground-state DFT calculations were supported by additional calculations that utilized complete-active-space multi-configuration approach with second-order perturbation theoretical correction (CASPT2). Through comparisons with standards, Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Sm, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y) are determined to contain 4f6 5d0 (SmII), 4f13 5d0 (TmII), 4f14 5d0 (YbII), 4f14 5d1 (LuII), and 4d1 (YII) electronic configurations. Additionally, our results suggest that Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) also contain LnII ions, but with 4f n 5d1 configurations (not 4f n+1 5d0). In these 4f n 5d1 complexes, the C3h-symmetric ligand environment provides a highly shielded 5d-orbital of a' symmetry that made the 4f n 5d1 electronic configurations lower in energy than the more typical 4f n+1 5d0 configuration.

Arylazide and diazene activation by highly reduced uranium(IV) complexes bearing trianionic redox-active pyridine(diimine) ligands, [CpPU(MesPDIMe)]2 (1-CpP), Cp*U(MesPDIMe)(THF) (1-Cp*) (CpP = 1-(7,7-dimethylbenzyl)cyclopentadienide; Cp* = η5-1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienide), and Cp*U(tBu-MesPDIMe) (THF) (1-tBu) (2,6-((Mes)N═CMe)2-p-R-C5H2N, Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl; R = H, MesPDIMe; R = C(CH3)3, tBu-MesPDIMe), has been investigated. While 1-Cp* and 1-CpP readily reduce N3R (R = Ph, p-tolyl) to form trans-bis(imido) species, CpPU(NAr)2(MesPDIMe) (Ar = Ph, 2-CpP; Ar = p-Tol, 3-CpP) and Cp*U(NPh)2(MesPDIMe) (2-Cp*), only 1-Cp* can cleave diazene N═N double bonds to form the same product. Complexes 2-Cp*, 2-CpP, and 3-CpP are uranium(V) trans-bis(imido) species supported by neutral [MesPDIMe]0 ligands formed by complete oxidation of [MesPDIMe]3– ligands of 1-CpP and 1-Cp*. Variation of the arylimido substituent in 2-Cp* from phenyl to p-tolyl, forming Cp*U(NTol)2(MesPDIMe) (3-Cp*), changes the ele...

© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 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[S2P(tBu2C12H6)]4and two isomorphous lanthanide complexes, namely one with a similar ionic radius (i.e., NdIII) and an isoelectronic one (EuIII). 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 EuIIIand NdIIIcomplexes revealed subtle electronic differences between the complexes of AmIIIand the lanthanides.

A multi-technique spectroscopic and theoretical study of the Cp(2)M(benzenedithiolato) (M=Ti,V,Mo; Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)) series provides deep insight into dithiolene electronic structure contributions to electron transfer reactivity and reduction potential modulation in pyranopterin molybdenum enzymes. This work explains the magnitude of the dithiolene folding distortion, and the concomitant changes in metal-ligand covalency, that are sensitive to electronic structure changes as a function of d-electron occupancy in the redox orbital. It is shown that the large fold angle differences correlate with covalency, and the fold angle distortion is due to a pseudo-Jahn-Teller (PJT) effect. The PJT effect in these and related transition metal dithiolene systems arise from the small energy differences between metal and sulfur valence molecular orbitals, which uniquely poise these systems for dramatic geometric and electronic structure changes as the oxidation state changes. Herein, we have used a combination of resonance Raman, magnetic circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance, and UV photoelectron spectroscopies to explore the electronic states involved in the vibronic coupling mechanism. Comparison between the UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) of the d(2) M=Mo complex and the resonance Raman spectra of the d(1) M=V complex reveals the power of this combined spectroscopic approach. Here, we observe that the UPS spectrum of Cp(2)Mo(bdt) contains an intriguing vibronic progession that is dominated by a “missing-mode” that is comprised of PJT active distortions. We discuss the relationship of the PJT distortions to facile electron transfer in molybdenum enzymes.

Protactinium-230 (t1/2 = 17.4 d) is the parent isotope of 230U (t1/2 = 20.8 d), a radionuclide of interest for targeted alpha therapy (TAT). Column chromatographic methods have been developed to separate no-carrier-added 230Pa from proton irradiated thorium targets and accompanying fission products. Results reported within demonstrate the use of novel sulfur bearing chromatographic extraction resins for the selective separation of protactinium. The recovery yield of 230Pa was 93 ± 4% employing a R3P═S type commercially available resin and 88 ± 4% employing a DGTA (diglycothioamide) containing custom synthesized extraction chromatographic resin. The radiochemical purity of the recovered 230Pa was measured via high purity germanium γ-ray spectroscopy to be >99.5% with the remaining radioactive contaminant being 95Nb due to its similar chemistry to protactinium. Measured equilibrium distribution coefficients for protactinium, thorium, uranium, niobium, radium, and actinium on both the R3P═S type and the DGTA...

Excited state processes involving multiple electron spin centers are crucial elements for both spintronics and quantum information processing. Herein, we describe an addressable excited state mechanism for precise control of electron spin polarization. This mechanism derives from excited state magnetic exchange couplings that occur between the electron spins of a photogenerated electron-hole pair and that of an organic radical. The process is initiated by absorption of a photon followed by ultrafast relaxation within the excited state spin manifold. This leads to dramatic changes in spin polarization between excited states of the same multiplicity. Moreover, this photoinitiated spin polarization process can be "read" spectroscopically using a magnetooptical technique that is sensitive to the excited state electron spin polarizations and allows for the evaluation of wave functions that give rise to these polarizations. This system is unique in that it requires neither intersystem crossing nor magnetic resonance techniques to create dynamic spin-polarization effects in molecules.

The recently synthesized and isolated low-coordinate Fe(V) nitride complex has numerous implications as a model for high-oxidation states in biological and industrial systems. The trigonal [PhB((t)BuIm)3Fe(V)≡N](+) (where (PhB((t)BuIm)3(-) = phenyltris(3-tert-butylimidazol-2-ylidene)), (1) low-spin d(3) (S = 1/2) coordination compound is subject to a Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion of its doubly degenerate (2)E ground state. The electronic structure of this complex is analyzed by a combination of extended versions of the formal two-orbital pseudo Jahn-Teller (PJT) treatment and of quantum chemical computations of the PJT effect. The formal treatment is extended to incorporate mixing of the two e orbital doublets (30%) that results from a lowering of the idealized molecular symmetry from D3h to C3v through strong "doming" of the Fe-C3 core. Correspondingly we introduce novel DFT/CASSCF computational methods in the computation of electronic structure, which reveal a quadratic JT distortion and significant e-e mixing, thus reaching a new level of synergism between computational and formal treatments. Hyperfine and quadrupole tensors are obtained by pulsed 35 GHz ENDOR measurements for the (14/15)N-nitride and the (11)B axial ligands, and spectra are obtained from the imidazole-2-ylidene (13)C atoms that are not bound to Fe. Analysis of the nitride ENDOR tensors surprisingly reveals an essentially spherical nitride trianion bound to Fe, with negative spin density and minimal charge density anisotropy. The four-coordinate (11)B, as expected, exhibits negligible bonding to Fe. A detailed analysis of the frontier orbitals provided by the electronic structure calculations provides insight into the reactivity of 1: JT-induced symmetry lowering provides an orbital selection mechanism for proton or H atom transfer reactivity.

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) A, 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.

Actinium-225 is a promising isotope for targeted-α therapy. Unfortunately, progress in developing chelators for medicinal applications has been hindered by a limited understanding of actinium chemistry. This knowledge gap is primarily associated with handling actinium, as it is highly radioactive and in short supply. Hence, AcIII reactivity is often inferred from the lanthanides and minor actinides (that is, Am, Cm), with limited success. Here we overcome these challenges and characterize actinium in HCl solutions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and molecular dynamics density functional theory. The Ac–Cl and Ac − O H 2 O distances are measured to be 2.95(3) and 2.59(3) Å, respectively. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy comparisons between AcIII and AmIII in HCl solutions indicate AcIII coordinates more inner-sphere Cl1– ligands (3.2±1.1) than AmIII (0.8±0.3). These results imply diverse reactivity for the +3 actinides and highlight the unexpected and unique AcIII chemical behaviour.