Thermodynamics of plutonium(iii) and curium(iii) complexation with a N-donor ligand.

The complexation of Pu(III) and Cm(III) with a soft N-donor ligand was investigated using the van't Hoff method, microcalorimetry and DFT calculations. The studies revealed that the strength of the actinide-ligand bond as given by the enthalpic contribution drastically decreases on going from Pu(III) to Cm(III), while the complex stability remains nearly constant.