Interaction of Aluminium (III) with the f-Family Ions Np(VI), Pu(VI), Np(V), Np(IV), Pu(IV), Nd(III), and Am(III) in the Course of Simultaneous Hydrolysis

The interaction of Np(VI), Pu(VI), Np(V), Np(IV), Pu(IV), Nd(III), and Am(III) with Al(III) in solutions at pH 0–4 was studied by the spectrophotometric method. It was shown that, in the range of pH 3–4, the hydrolyzed forms of neptunyl and plutonyl react with the hydrolyzed forms of aluminium. In the case of Pu(VI), the mixed hydroxoaqua complexes (H₂O)₃PuO₂(-OH)₂Al(OH)(H₂O)₃ ²⁺ or (H₂O)₄PuO₂OAl(OH)(H₂O)₄ ²⁺ are formed at the first stage of hydrolysis. Np(VI) also forms similar hydroxoaqua complexes with Al(III). The formation of the mixed hydroxoaqua complexes was also observed when Np(IV) or Pu(IV) was simultaneously hydrolyzed with Al(III) at pH 1.5–2.5. The Np(IV) complex with Al(III) has, most likely, the formula (H₂O) _n (OH)Np(-OH)₂Al(OH)(H₂O)₃ ³⁺. At pH from 2 to 4.1 (when aluminium hydroxide precipitates), the Np(V) or Nd(III) ions exist in solutions with or without Al(III) in similar forms. When pH is increased to 5–5.5, these ions are almost not captured by the aluminium hydroxide precipitate.     

Modeling Speciation and Solubility in Aqueous Systems Containing U(IV,VI), Np(IV,V, VI), Pu(III,IV, V,VI), Am(III), and Cm(III)

A comprehensive thermodynamic model, referred to as the Mixed-Solvent Electrolyte model, has been applied to calculate phase equilibria and chemical speciation in selected aqueous actinide systems. The solution chemistry of U(IV, VI), Np(IV, V, VI), Pu(III, IV, V, VI), Am(III), and Cm(III) has been analyzed to develop the parameters of the model. These parameters include the standard-state thermochemical properties of aqueous and solid actinide species as well as the ion interaction parameters that reflect the solution’s nonideality. The model reproduces the solubility behavior and accurately predicts the formation of competing solid phases as a function of pH (from 0 to 14 and higher), temperature (up to 573 K), partial pressure of CO₂ (up to \( p_{{{\text{CO}}_{2} }} \)  = 1 bar), and concentrations of acids (to 127 mol·kg^?1), bases (to 18 mol·kg^?1), carbonates (to 6 mol·kg^?1) and other ionic components (i.e., Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, OH^?, Cl^?, \( {\text{ClO}}_{4}^{ - } \), and \( {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } \)). Redox effects on solubility and speciation have been incorporated into the model, as exemplified by the reductive and oxidative dissolution of Np(VI) and Pu(IV) solids, respectively. Thus, the model can be used to elucidate the phase and chemical equilibria for radionuclides in natural aquatic systems or in nuclear waste repository environments as a function of environmental conditions. Additionally, the model has been applied to systems relevant to nuclear fuel processing, in which nitric acid and nitrate salts of plutonium and uranium are present at high concentrations. The model reproduces speciation and solubility in the U(VI) + HNO₃ + H₂O and Pu(IV, VI) + HNO₃ + H₂O systems up to very high nitric acid concentrations (\( x_{{{\text{HNO}}_{3} }} \approx 0.70 \)). Furthermore, the similarities and differences in the solubility behavior of the actinides have been analyzed in terms of aqueous speciation.     

Role of anions and reaction conditions in the preparation of uranium(VI), neptunium(VI), and plutonium(VI) borates

U(VI), Np(VI), and Pu(VI) borates with the formula AnO(2)[B(8)O(11)(OH)(4)] (An = U, Np, Pu) have been prepared via the reactions of U(VI) nitrate, Np(VI) perchlorate, or Pu(IV) or Pu(VI) nitrate with molten boric acid. These compounds are all isotypic and consist of a linear actinyl(VI) cation, AnO(2)(2+), surrounded by BO(3) triangles and BO(4) tetrahedra to create an AnO(8) hexagonal bipyramidal environment. The actinyl bond lengths are consistent with actinide contraction across this series. The borate anions bridge between actinyl units to create sheets. Additional BO(3) triangles and BO(4) tetrahedra extend from the polyborate layers and connect these sheets together to form a three-dimensional chiral framework structure. UV-vis-NIR absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy confirms the hexavalent oxidation state in all three compounds. Bond-valence parameters are developed for Np(VI).     

The mechanism of the reduction of [AnO2]2+ (An = U, Np, Pu) in aqueous solution, and by Fe(II) containing proteins and mineral surfaces, probed by DFT calculations

The fate of actinyl species in the environment is closely linked to oxidation state, since the reduction of An(VI) to An(IV) greatly decreases their mobility due to the precipitation of the relatively insoluble An(IV) species. Here we study the mechanism of the reduction of [AnO(2)](2+) (An = U, Np, Pu) both in aqueous solution and by Fe(II) containing proteins and mineral surfaces, using density functional theory calculations. We find a disproportionation mechanism involving a An(V)-An(V) cation-cation complex, and we have investigated how these complexes are formed in the different environments. We find that the behaviour of U and Pu complexes are similar, but the reduction of Np(V) to Np(IV) would seems to be more difficult, in line with the experimental finding that Np(V) is generally more stable than U(V) or Pu(V). Although the models we have used are somewhat idealised, our calculations suggest that there are strong similarities between the biotic and abiotic reduction pathways.     

Reduction kinetics of Pu(IV) and Np(VI) by N,N-dimethylhydrazine,and its potential application in nuclear fuel reprocessing

Reduction kinetics of Pu(IV) by N,N-dimethylhydrazine (NNDMH) were studied by spectrophotometry, and the reduction rate equation in 3M (mol/dm³) nitric acid was obtained. The reduction properties of NNDMH for U(VI), Np(VI), and Pu(IV) was studied in the mixture solution of trin-butylphosphate diluted to 30 vol.% by n-dodecane (30% TBP) and 3M nitric acid. It was confirmed that NNDMH selectively reduce Np(VI) to Np(V) without affecting the valences of U(VI) and Pu(IV) in a few minutes. Numerical simulation indicated that 99.9% of Np was separated from U and Pu applying NNDMH for a mixer-settler.     

Absorption spectroscopic properties for Pu(III,IV and VI) in nitric and hydrochloric acid media

Absorption spectroscopic properties for various Pu oxidation states in nitric and hydrochloric acid solutions were investigated with UV-Visible spectrophotometry. As a result, it was confirmed that the intensities of the major absorption peaks had a tendency to decrease for Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) in HCl and HNO₃ media, and the major peak positions were shifted to longer or shorter wavelengths depending on the complexforming abilities of Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) with the chloride or nitrate ion with increasing acid concentrations. The values of the wavelength and the molar absorptivity for the principal peaks of Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) in NHO₃ and HCl solutions were similar to those reported in other works. The values of the molar absorptivity for the principal peaks of Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) in the HNO₃ solution were a little higher than those in the HCl solution.     

Formation of higher chloride complexes of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) in water-stable room-temperature ionic liquid [BuMeIm][Tf2N

A UV/vis/near-IR spectroscopic study shows that in [BuMeIm][(CF3SO2)2N] hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquid solutions, [BuMeIm]2[AnCl6] complexes, where BuMeIm+ is 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and An(IV) is Np(IV) or Pu(IV), have an octahedral An(IV) environment similar to that observed in solid complexes. Water has no influence on the absorption spectra of AnCl6(2-) complexes, indicating their stability to hydrolysis in ionic liquid. Adding [BuMeIm]Cl modifies the UV/vis/near-IR absorption spectra of An(IV) in the ionic liquid and causes solids to precipitate. The solid-state reflectance spectra of the precipitates reveal considerable differences from the corresponding An(IV) hexachloro complexes. A voltammetric study indicates that AnCl6(2-) complexes are electrochemically inert in [BuMeIm][(CF3SO2)2N] at the glassy carbon working electrode. By contrast, quasi-reversible electrochemical reduction An(IV)/An(III) and An(IV) oxidation are observed in ionic liquids in the presence of [BuMeIm]Cl. The oxidation wave of noncoordinated chloride ions interferes with the An(IV) oxidation waves. The spectroscopic and voltammetric data clearly indicate the formation of nonoctahedral actinide(IV) chloride complexes with a Cl-/An(IV) ratio exceeding 6/1 in [BuMeIm][(CF3SO2)2N] in excess chloride ions.     

Deviation between the chemistry of Ce(IV) and Pu(IV) and routes to ordered and disordered heterobimetallic 4f/5f and 5f/5f phosphonates

The heterobimetallic actinide compound UO(2)Ce(H(2)O)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](2)·H(2)O was prepared via the hydrothermal reaction of U(VI) and Ce(IV) in the presence of 1,2-phenylenediphosphonic acid. We demonstrate that this is a kinetic product that is not stable with respect to decomposition to the monometallic compounds. Similar reactions have been explored with U(VI) and Ce(III), resulting in the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) and the formation of the Ce(IV) phosphonate, Ce[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3)H(2))][C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3))]·2H(2)O, UO(2)Ce(H(2)O)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](2)·H(2)O, and UO(2)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](H(2)O)·H(2)O. In comparison, the reaction of U(VI) with Np(VI) only yields Np[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](2)·2H(2)O and aqueous U(VI), whereas the reaction of U(VI) with Pu(VI) yields the disordered U(VI)/Pu(VI) compound, (U(0.9)Pu(0.1))O(2)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](H(2)O)·H(2)O, and the Pu(IV) phosphonate, Pu[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3)H(2))][C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3))]·2H(2)O. The reactions of Ce(IV) with Np(VI) yield disordered heterobimetallic phosphonates with both M[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3)H(2))][C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3))]·2H(2)O (M = Ce, Np) and M[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](2)·2H(2)O (M = Ce, Np) structures, as well as the Ce(IV) phosphonate Ce[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3)H(2))][C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3))]·2H(2)O. Ce(IV) reacts with Pu(IV) to yield the Pu(VI) compound, PuO(2)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](H(2)O)·3H(2)O, and a disordered heterobimetallic Pu(IV)/Ce(IV) compound with the M[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3)H(2))][C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3))]·2H(2)O (M = Ce, Pu) structure. Mixtures of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) yield disordered heterobimetallic Np(IV)/Pu(IV) phosphonates with both the An[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3)H(2))][C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(PO(3))]·2H(2)O (M = Np, Pu) and An[C(6)H(4)(PO(3)H)(2)](2)·2H(2)O (M = Np, Pu) formulas.     

Aqueous complexation of thorium(IV), uranium(IV), neptunium(IV), plutonium(III/IV), and cerium(III/IV) with DTPA

Aqueous complexation of Th(IV), U(IV), Np(IV), Pu(III/IV), and Ce(III/IV) with DTPA was studied by potentiometry, absorption spectrophotometry, and cyclic voltammetry at 1 M ionic strength and 25 °C. The stability constants for the 1:1 complex of each trivalent and tetravalent metal were calculated. From the potentiometric data, we report stability constant values for Ce(III)DTPA, Ce(III)HDTPA, and Th(IV)DTPA of log β(101) = 20.01 ± 0.02, log β(111) = 22.0 ± 0.2, and log β(101) = 29.6 ± 1, respectively. From the absorption spectrophotometry data, we report stability constant values for U(IV)DTPA, Np(IV)DTPA, and Pu(IV)DTPA of log β(101) = 31.8 ± 0.1, 32.3 ± 0.1, and 33.67 ± 0.02, respectively. From the cyclic voltammetry data, we report stability constant values for Ce(IV) and Pu(III) of log β(101) = 34.04 ± 0.04 and 20.58 ± 0.04, respectively. The values obtained in this work are compared and discussed with respect to the ionic radius of each cationic metal.     

Electrochemical and complexation behavior of neptunium in aqueous perchlorate and nitrate solutions

Electrochemical and complexation properties of neptunium (Np) are investigated in aqueous perchlorate and nitrate solutions by means of cyclic voltammetry, bulk electrolysis, UV-visible absorption, and Np L(III)-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The redox reactions of Np(III)/Np(IV) and Np(V)/Np(VI) couples are reversible or quasi-reversible, while the electrochemical reaction between Np(III/IV) and Np(V/VI) is irreversible because they undergo structural rearrangement from spherical coordinating ions (Np(3+) and Np(4+)) to transdioxoneptunyl ions (NpO2(n+), n = 1 for Np(V) and 2 for Np(VI)). The redox reaction of the Np(V)/Np(VI) couple involves no structural rearrangement on their equatorial planes in acidic perchlorate and nitrate solutions. A detailed analysis on extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra suggests that Np(IV) forms a decaaquo complex of [Np(H2O)10](4+) in 1.0 M HClO4, while Np(V) and Np(VI) exist dominantly as pentaaquoneptunyl complexes, [NpO2(H2O)5](n+) (n = 1 for Np(V) and 2 for Np(VI)). A systematic change is observed on the Fourier transforms of the EXAFS spectra for all of the Np oxidation states as the nitrate concentration is increased in the sample, revealing that the hydrate water molecules are replaced by bidentate-coordinating nitrate ions on the primary coordination sphere of Np.     

Sequential determination of Am, Cm, Pu, Np and U by extraction chromatography

Environmental contamination by artificial radionuclides and the evaluation of their sources require precise isotopic analysis and accurate determination of actinide elements above all plutonium and americium. These can be achieved by alpha spectrometry or by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after chemical separation. In the present work, a simple, rapid method has been developed for the sequential separation of actinide elements from aqueous solutions and their determination by alpha spectrometry. Extraction chromatography was applied to the separation of ²⁴¹Am, ²⁴⁴Cm, ^{239 + 240,238}Pu, ²³⁷Np and ^238,235,234U using microporous polyethylene supporting tri-n-octylamine as the stationary phase and hydrochloric acid with and without reducing agents as the mobile phase. Actinide in 9 M HCl solution is introduced into the anion exchange column; Pu (IV), Np (IV) and U(VI) are retained on the column while Am (III) and Cm passed through. Pu is eluted first, reductively, after which, Np and then U are eluted. The method can be applied to all aqueous solutions which do not contain strong complexing or precipitation agents for the elements considered.     

Strong correlations in actinide redox reactions

Reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions of the redox couples An(VI)/An(V), An(V)/An(IV), and An(IV)/An(III), where An is an element in the family of early actinides (U, Np, and Pu), as well as Am(VI)/Am(V) and Am(V)/Am(III), are modeled by combining density functional theory with a generalized Anderson impurity model that accounts for the strong correlations between the 5f electrons. Diagonalization of the Anderson impurity model yields improved estimates for the redox potentials and the propensity of the actinide complexes to disproportionate.     

Complexation of lanthanides(III), americium(III), and uranium(VI) with bitopic N,O ligands: an experimental and theoretical study

New functionalized terpyridine-diamide ligands were recently developed for the group actinide separation by solvent extraction. In order to acquire a better understanding of their coordination mode in solution, protonation and complexation of lanthanides(III), americium(III), and uranium(VI) with these bitopic N,O-bearing ligands were studied in homogeneous methanol/water conditions by experimental and theoretical approaches. UV-visible spectrophotometry was used to determine the protonation and stability constants of te-tpyda and dedp-tpyda. The conformations of free and protonated forms of te-tpyda were investigated using NMR and theoretical calculations. The introduction of amide functional groups on the terpyridine moiety improved the extracting properties of these new ligands by lowering their basicity and enhancing the stability of the corresponding 1:1 complexes with lanthanides(III). Coordination of these ligands was studied by density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations, especially to evaluate potential participation of hard oxygen and soft nitrogen atoms in actinide coordination and to correlate with their affinity and selectivity. Two predominant inner-sphere coordination modes were found from the calculations: one mode where the cation is coordinated by the nitrogen atoms of the cavity and by the amide oxygen atoms and the other mode where the cation is only coordinated by the two amide oxygen atoms and by solvent molecules. Further simulations and analysis of UV-visible spectra using both coordination modes indicate that inner-sphere coordination with direct complexation of the three nitrogen and two oxygen atoms to the cation leads to the most likely species in a methanol/water solution.     

Determination of stability constants of U(VI), Np(VI) and Pu(VI) with chloride ions by extraction chromatography

The complex formation of U(VI), Np(VI) and Pu(VI) with chloride ions was studied in HClO₄−HCl solutions at ionic strength of 2.0 and [H⁺]=2.0M by the method of extraction chromatography using dilute HDEHP as the stationary phase.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of Pu(IV) and Pu(III) in nitric acid solutions

Electrochemical and absorption spectroscopic properties of Pu(IV) and Pu(III) in nitric acid have been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV–Visible spectroscopy. CV using a glassy carbon electrode suggested that the electrochemical reaction of Pu(IV) nitrate complexes were found to be a quasi-reversible reduction to Pu(III) species. The formal redox potentials (E ⁰) for Pu(IV)/Pu(III) couples were +0.721, +0.712, +0.706, +0.705, +0.704, 0.694, and +0.696 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) when nitric acid concentrations are 1–7 M nitric acid solutions, respectively. These results indicate that the reduction product of Pu(IV) is only Pu(III). Further details for reaction mechanism of Pu(IV) were discussed on the basis of digital simulation of the experimental cyclic voltammograms. The absorption spectroscopic properties of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) in nitric acid solutions were investigated with UV–Visible spectrophotometry. As a result, it was founds that the intensities of the characteristic absorption peaks of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) tend to decrease with increasing nitric acid concentration for 1–8 M, and the peaks positions shifted longer or shorter wavelengths depending on the complex-forming abilities of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) with an increase in the nitric acid concentration.     

Use of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Based Aqueous Biphasic System (ABS) for the Extraction of Pu(IV), Pu(VI) and Am(III) with 18-Crown-6: A Thermodynamic Study

Extraction of Pu(IV), Pu(VI) and Am(III) using PEG-2000/ (NH₄)₂SO₄ (40% w/w of each) ABS with 18-crown-6 (18-C-6) as the extractant was studied at four fixed temperatures in the range 288 to 318 K. The distribution ratios follow the order: Pu(VI) > Pu(IV) > Am(III). The species extracted were identified to be [Pu·2(18-C-6)](SO₄)₂, [PuO₂·(18-C-6)]SO₄ and [Am·2(18-C-6)](SO₄)_1.5 for Pu(IV), Pu(VI) and Am(III), respectively. The equilibrium constants (K) evaluated for the extraction reactions follow the order, K _Pu(IV) > K _Pu(VI) > K _Am(III) as expected in accordance with the axial charge experienced by the incoming ligand (18-C-6). The thermodynamic parameters evaluated at 298 K showed the reaction to be stabilized by the decrease in enthalpy and counteracted by the decrease in entropy in all the three cases. The large decrease in the enthalpy observed in all the cases showed that there is direct bonding of crown ether to the central metal atom (i.e., the formation of inner sphere complex).     

Uptake of Pu(IV) on Bio-Rex 63 from nitric acid medium: A kinetic study

Back-extraction of tri- and tetravalent actinides from diisodecylphosphoric acid (DIDPA) is studied using hydrazine carbonate as back-extractant. In experiments using 0.5M DIDPA–0.1M TBP n-dodecane solution, Am(III), Eu(III), Pu(IV) and Np(IV) are back-extracted, and the distribution ratios are decreased with an increase of hydrazine carbonate concentration. The back-extraction equilibria are confirmed by slope analysis in consideration of neutralization between DIDPA and hydrazine carbonate, which occurs quantitatively during back-extraction. In particular, oxidation of Np(IV) to Np(V) during back-extraction is observed by measuring absorption spectra. The hydrazinium ion acts as an oxidation reagent in the back-extraction of Np(IV). Separation factors of those metals are compared with the results of HDEHP. Hydrazine carbonate back-extracts Np(IV) more selectively from DIDPA than from HDEHP.     

Pu and Am sorption to the Baltic Sea bottom sediments

Sorption of Am and Pu isotopes to bottom sediments of the Baltic Sea has been studied under natural and laboratory conditions. Data obtained from sequential extraction, sorption of Am(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(V) as well as oxidation state distribution experiments have shown that Pu(V) sorption mechanism includes a very fast Pu(V) reduction (reaction rate ≤ 2.33 × 10^?3 s^?1) to Pu(IV) by humic substances and/or by Fe(II) to Pu(IV) and partly to Pu(III). Following reduction Pu isotopes were bound to various components of bottom sediments via ion exchange and surface complexation reactions and a slow incorporation into the crystalline structure of Fe minerals. Kinetics experiments showed that the sorption of Pu(V), Pu(IV) and Am(III) to bottom sediments from natural seawater was controlled by the inert layer diffusion process.     

Electrochemistry and Spectroelectrochemistry of the Pu (III/IV) and (IV/VI) Couples in Nitric Acid Systems

The solution chemistry of Pu in nitric acid is explored via electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry. By utilizing and comparing these techniques, an improved understanding of Pu behavior and its dependence on nitric acid concentration can be achieved. Here the Pu (III/IV) couple is characterized using cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and a spectroelectrochemical Nernst step. Results indicate the formal reduction potential of the couple shifts negative with increasing acid concentration and reversible electrochemistry is no longer attainable above 6 M HNO₃. Spectroelectrochemistry is also used to explore the irreversible oxidation of Pu(IV) to Pu(VI) and shine light on the mechanism and acid dependence of the redox reaction.     

Complexation of Pu(IV) with the natural siderophore desferrioxamine B and the redox properties of Pu(IV)(siderophore) complexes

The bioavailability and mobility of Pu species can be profoundly affected by siderophores and other oxygen-rich organic ligands. Pu(IV)(siderophore) complexes are generally soluble and may constitute with other soluble organo-Pu(IV) complexes the main fraction of soluble Pu(IV) in the environment. In order to understand the impact of siderophores on the behavior of Pu species, it is important to characterize the formation and redox behavior of Pu(siderophore) complexes. In this work, desferrioxamine B (DFO-B) was investigated for its capacity to bind Pu(IV) as a model siderophore and the properties of the complexes formed were characterized by optical spectroscopy measurements. In a 1:1 Pu(IV)/DFO-B ratio, the complexes Pu(IV)(H2DFO-B)4+, Pu(IV)(H1DFO-B)3+, Pu(IV)(DFO-B)2+, and Pu(IV)(DFO-B)(OH)+ form with corresponding thermodynamic stability constants log beta1,1,2 = 35.48, log beta1,1,1 = 34.87, log beta1,1,0 = 33.98, and log beta1,1,-1 = 27.33, respectively. In the presence of excess DFO-B, the complex Pu(IV)H2(DFO-B)22+ forms with the formation constant log beta2,1,2 = 62.30. The redox potential of the complex Pu(IV)H2(DFO-B)22+ was determined by cyclic voltammetry to be E1/2 = -0.509 V, and the redox potential of the complex Pu(IV)(DFO-B)2+ was estimated to be E1/2 = -0.269 V. The redox properties of Pu(IV)(DFO-B)2+ complexes indicate that Pu(III)(siderophore) complexes are more than 20 orders of magnitude less stable than their Pu(IV) analogues. This indicates that under reducing conditions, stable Pu(siderophore) complexes are unlikely to persist.