Advancing understanding of actinide(iii) (Ac, Am, Cm) aqueous complexation chemistry

The positive impact of having access to well-defined starting materials for applied actinide technologies - and for technologies based on other elements - cannot be overstated. Of numerous relevant 5f-element starting materials, those in complexing aqueous media find widespread use. Consider acetic acid/acetate buffered solutions as an example. These solutions provide entry into diverse technologies, from small-scale production of actinide metal to preparing radiolabeled chelates for medical applications. However, like so many aqueous solutions that contain actinides and complexing agents, 5f-element speciation in acetic acid/acetate cocktails is poorly defined. Herein, we address this problem and characterize Ac3+ and Cm3+ speciation as a function of increasing acetic acid/acetate concentrations (0.1 to 15 M, pH = 5.5). Results obtained via X-ray absorption and optical spectroscopy show the aquo ion dominated in dilute acetic acid/acetate solutions (0.1 M). Increasing acetic acid/acetate concentrations to 15 M increased complexation and revealed divergent reactivity between early and late actinides. A neutral Ac(H2O)(6)((1))(O2CMe)(3)((1)) compound was the major species in solution for the large Ac3+. In contrast, smaller Cm3+ preferred forming an anion. There were approximately four bound O2CMe1- ligands and one to two inner sphere H2O ligands. The conclusion that increasing acetic acid/acetate concentrations increased acetate complexation was corroborated by characterizing (NH4)(2)M(O2CMe)(5) (M = Eu3+, Am3+ and Cm3+) using single crystal X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy (absorption, emission, excitation, and excited state lifetime measurements).

Automated summary

The study characterized the speciation of Ac3+ and Cm3+ in different acetic acid/acetate concentrations, and identified that increasing concentrations of acetic acid/acetate led to increased acetate complexation. This was supported by characterizing (NH4)2M(O2CMe)5 (M = Eu3+, Am3+ and Cm3+) using single crystal X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy.