Actinide complexes with Wells-Dawson Polyoxometalates (Part 2): Californium

Abstract

We report the first example of a polyoxometalate (POM) compound containing californium. Using a Wells-Dawson POM ligand, K17Cf(P2W17O61)2·2H2O was synthesized and characterized. Californium is the heaviest element ever crystalized with a POM. Significant solubility differences among the POM’s f-element complexes were observed, enabling selective precipitation with separation factors rivaling liquid-liquid extraction.