Americium

The discovery of americium is described, its isotopes and their nuclear properties are reported. Isolation and purification of 241Am, 243Am are discussed. Synthesis and properties of metallic americium are considered. Solid compounds of americium listed include hydrides, fluorides, chlorides, bromides and iodides. Also discussed are the synthesis and properties of americium oxides, carbides, nitrides, sulphides, sulphates, carbonates and oxalates. An organometallic compound of americium is considered, i.e. americium tricyclopentadienyl. The behaviour of americium in aqueoyus solution is discussed. Stability constants are given for americium complexes with inorganic ligands and for americium chelate complexes with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing ligands. Light absorption spectra in aqueous solutions, redox-potentials, disproportionating and radiation-chemical behaviour of americium are described. The gravimetric determination of americium redox-properties and methods of spectrophotometrical and radiometrical determination are considered. Data on 243Am Moessbauer spectroscopy are given