Actinide gap plugged by giant neptunium clusters

Molecular structure of Np38O56Cl42(ipa)20

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Complexes could help inform researchers working on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste management

Scientists from France and Germany have synthesised the largest discrete neptunium complexes to date. The two cluster complexes of tetravalent neptunium are the missing link in the poly-oxo cluster series of tetravalent actinides.