The best way to interrogate a compound is through a single crystal structure. It is integral to the exploration of the periodic table that we continue to push the limits of what can be crystallized, through analyzing radiation degradation and production limits of the elements in the late actinides. To date, the limit of crystallization lies at einsteinium. So far, we have made crystals up to the element preceding it, californium. Berkelium, the element preceding californium and agruably an element more difficult to work with, has been crystallized in a terpyridyl complex. To better understand the berkelium structure, cerium, berkelium's best lanthanide analog, was also analyzed utilizing both experiment and theory, proving that berkelium exhibits enhanced covalent character in its bonds.

Exploring berkelium and cerium terpyridyl complexes

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.