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Isolation of an Americium Complex Containing a Radical Ligand.

Daniel J Lussier1, Maria J Beltrán-Leiva2, Josef Tomeček2

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|March 12, 2026
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Researchers synthesized the first americium complex with a radical ligand, Cp*2Am(tBu2bipy•−) (1-Am). This americium complex exhibits significant metal-ligand covalency, suggesting potential as an Am(II) synthon.

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Area of Science:

  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Actinide Chemistry
  • Coordination Chemistry

Background:

  • The synthesis and characterization of novel actinide complexes are crucial for understanding their unique electronic properties.
  • Radical ligands offer new avenues for tuning the reactivity and electronic structure of metal centers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the synthesis, structural verification, and electronic characterization of the first isolated americium complex featuring a radical ligand.
  • To investigate the metal-ligand covalency in this complex and compare it with lanthanide analogues.
  • To explore the potential of the complex as an "Am(II) synthon" through electrochemical studies.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction of Cp*2Am(tBu2bipy•−) (1-Am).
  • Density Functional Theory (DFT) and multiconfigurational electronic structure calculations.
  • Experimental comparison of metal-ligand bond distances with lanthanide complexes.
  • Electrochemical studies to probe redox behavior.

Main Results:

  • The first isolated and structurally verified americium complex with a radical ligand, Cp*2Am(tBu2bipy•−) (1-Am), was successfully synthesized.
  • Theoretical and experimental data indicate greater metal-ligand covalency in 1-Am compared to near-isoradial lanthanide complexes (1-Nd, 1-Sm).
  • Electrochemical studies suggest 1-Am can function as an "Am(II) synthon".

Conclusions:

  • The successful synthesis of 1-Am provides a new platform for studying americium chemistry.
  • The observed enhanced covalency highlights the influence of radical ligands on actinide electronic structure.
  • The potential of 1-Am as an Am(II) synthon opens possibilities for future synthetic applications.