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A major chemical challenge facing implementation of 225 Ac in targeted alpha therapy-an emerging technology that has potential for treatment of disease-is identifying an 225 Ac 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 227 Ac. We successfully characterized the chelation of Ac 3+ by DOTP 8- 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 M 3+ cations (M = Ac, Am, Cm, La) were completely encapsulated within the binding pocket of the DOTP 8- macrocycle. The computational results highlighted the stability of the M(DOTP) 5- complexes.

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 6 3- . We observed both 5f- and 6d-orbital mixing with the Cl-3p orbitals; however, contributions from the 6d-orbitals were more substantial. Comparisons with the isoelectronic EuCl 6 3- indicated that the amount of Cl 3p-mixing with Eu III 5d-orbitals was similar to that observed with the Am III 6d-orbitals. Meanwhile, the results confirmed Seaborg's 1954 hypothesis that Am III 5f-orbital covalency was more substantial than 4f-orbital mixing for Eu III .

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.

Covalency is often considered to be an influential factor in driving An3+ vs. Ln3+ selectivity invoked by soft donor ligands. This is intensely debated, particularly the extent to which An3+/Ln3+ covalency differences prevail and manifest as the f‐block is traversed, and the effects of periodic breaks beyond Pu. Herein, two Am complexes, [Am{N(E=PPh2)2}3] (1‐Am, E=Se; 2‐Am, E=O) are compared to isoradial [Nd{N(E=PPh2)2}3] (1‐Nd, 2‐Nd) complexes. Covalent contributions are assessed and compared to U/La and Pu/Ce analogues. Through ab initio calculations grounded in UV‐vis‐NIR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray structures, we observe differences in f orbital involvement between Am–Se and Nd–Se bonds, which are not present in O‐donor congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the small‐scale synthesis, isolated yield, single‐crystal X‐ray structure, 1H NMR solution spectroscopy /solid‐state UV/Vis‐nIR spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT)/ab initio wave function theory calculations on an Am3+ organometallic complex, [Am(C5Me4H)3] (1). This constitutes the first quantitative data on Am−C bonding in a molecular species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizing how actinide properties change across the f-element series is critical for improving predictive capabilities and solving many nuclear problems facing our society. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make direct comparisons across the 5f-element series because so little is known about trans-plutonium elements. Results described herein help to address this issue through isolation of An(S2CNEt2)3(N2C12H8) (Am, Cm, and Cf). These findings included the first single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements of Cm–S (mean of 2.86 ± 0.04 Å) and Cf–S (mean of 2.84 ± 0.04 Å) bond distances. Furthermore, they highlight the potential of An(S2CNEt2)3(N2C12H8) for providing a test bed for comparative analyses of actinide versus lanthanide bonding interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinides, americium, covalency, spectroscopy, structure Keywords: actinides; americium; covalency; spectroscopy; structure EN actinides americium covalency spectroscopy structure 9728 9728 1 04/15/21 20210419 NES 210419 B Differential covalency b in trivalent actinide versus lanthanide bonding with soft donors can aid separations. Hard-O Donor Bonding in Trivalent Americium/Neodymium Molecules (Angew. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: actinides; americium; covalency; spectroscopy; structure EN actinides americium covalency spectroscopy structure 9812 9812 1 04/15/21 20210419 NES 210419 B Unterschiedliche Kovalenzen b in der Bindung dreiwertiger Actinide und Lanthanide mit weichen Donoren können Stofftrennungen unterstützen. Actinides, americium, covalency, spectroscopy, structure Hard-O Donor Bonding in Trivalent Americium/Neodymium Molecules (Angew. [Extracted from the article]