Transuranic actinide reactions with simple gas-phase molecules.
- Stephen P.
- Douglas Kirk
- Joseph P.
The intent of this research is to conduct an experimental study of f-element chemistry fo r the purpose of identifying reaction trends and mechanisms of the early actinide metals with simple gas phase molecules . Previous research has elucidated some of the fundamenta l chemistry of the 4f elements,1-5 however, more complex chemistry is expected for the 5f serie s due to the inclusion of the 5f electrons in the valence shell . The matrix isolation approach, which is well-suited to the experimental study of transient species, will be used for sample collection, and IR/NIR/VIS spectroscopy will be employed to interrogate deposited matrices . The strength of this method lies in the use of isotopes of reactants, which permits the identification of guest molecules in a noble gas matrix by observation of vibrational frequenc y shifts and patterns upon isotopic substitution . Using this technique at the University of Virginia, the first noble gas-actinide bond has recently been identified, a weak U-Ar bond on the CUO molecule.6 Uranium has similarly been observed to bond to krypton and xenon, whereas thoriu m and the lanthanides have not exhibited this activity . It is expected that plutonium will be even more reactive in this respect . We will extend the body of actinide experimental evidence t o include the transuranic elements neptunium, plutonium, and americium reacted with isotopes o f oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide .
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 976543
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-03-0707; TRN: US201017%%690
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 673; Conference: Submitted to: Plutonium Futures Conference 2003, July 6-10, 2003, Albuquerque, NM
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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