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.