Syntheses and characterization of some solid-state actinide (Th, U, Np) compounds

In this Perspective we discuss a variety of methods that are broadly applicable to the syntheses of solid-state compounds. To illustrate the application of these methods we use solid-state actinide compounds, an area of chemistry that has been the focus of this laboratory for the last decade. We have synthesized single crystals, primarily of actinide chalcogenide compounds, by a variety of techniques. The benefits and drawbacks of each will be discussed in detail. Because of their propensity towards high coordination numbers and their ability to take on a variety of formal oxidation states, actinide compounds adopt structures illustrated here that are often different from those adopted by transition-metal or even lanthanide compounds. Often, there are corresponding differences in their physical properties, and these are touched upon here.