Lanthanoid and Actinoid Complexes

Dear Colleagues,

It is a great honor and pleasure to introduce the Special Issue of ‘‘Chemistry’’, dedicated to the fascinating realm of ‘‘Lanthanoid and Actinoid complexes’’.

Lanthanoid and Actinoid elements, often referred as the f-block elements, occupy a unique place in the Periodic Table, between s- and d-block elements, with their electron configurations characterized by the gradual filling of 4f and 5f orbitals. This gradual filling gives rise to an array of interesting chemical properties and coordination behavior. Over the years, these elements have attracted the interest of chemists and materials scientists over the world and sparked extensive investigations into their coordination and organometallic chemistry. Lanthanoids with their unique [Xe]4fⁿ electron configuration give rise to interesting optical and magnetic properties and their Ln(III) complexes now find interesting applications in optical devices, displays, batteries, contrast reagents, and biological probes. Even though lanthanoid chemistry seems well-developed, significant advancements still occur ranging from the discovery of unusual oxidation states and the synthesis of dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnets operating at liquid nitrogen temperature. Lanthanoids are now also investigated for potential application in the quantum realm for information processing and high-density data storage at the molecular and atomic scale. On the contrary, actinoid elements, due to their radioactivity and the connection with the Manhattan Project and disasters in Chernobyl and Fukushima, have been considered as the ‘‘bad guys’’ of the Periodic Table. Due to their bad reputation, these elements are still under extensive investigation about their properties and chemical reactivity. The chemistry of actinoids is currently receiving the intense attention of many inorganic chemistry groups around the world. Important scientific challenges for research are handling and recycling nuclear materials, discovering efficient materials for the recovery of the uranyl(VI) cation, trans-U^VIO₂²⁺, from seawater, investigating the redox properties of these metals, elucidating and manipulating actinoid-elements multiple-bond interactions, discovering methods to accomplish multi-electron reactions related to organometallic transformations, and improving the 5f-elements potential in small molecule activation and catalysis. U, declared as one of the most controversial elements of the Periodic Table or even as the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the Periodic Table, as it can behave as transition metal or lanthanoid, is the most studied element of this series. In its compounds, oxidation states from I to VI are well characterized with the IV and VI oxidation states being the most stable.

The coordination chemistry of molecular lanthanoid and actinoid complexes has emerged as a vibrant and expanding area of research, offering an invaluable opportunity to explore fundamental principles and develop applications across various disciplines. Their distinct coordination environments, rich electronic structures, and diverse bonding capabilities provide an exceptional platform for designing novel materials, understanding the catalytic processes, and advancing technological applications.

This Special Issue seeks to encompass a comprehensive collection of research articles, communications and reviews that shed light on the latest advancements in the field of lanthanoid and actinoid chemistry. Our aim is to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers and scientists to share their insights, findings, and visions for the future of this captivating area of study.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited, the following topics:

1. Novel Coordination and Organometallic Complexes: Synthesis and characterization of new complexes, encompassing a diverse range of ligands and structural motifs, showcasing the versatility and uniqueness of f-block elements.
2. Ligand Design and Molecular Engineering: Strategies for designing tailor-made ligands to achieve specific coordination environments and tune the properties of lanthanoid and actinoid complexes.
3. Spectroscopic and Computational Studies: Theoretical investigations, computational modeling, and spectroscopic analyses providing deeper insights into the electronic structures and coordination behavior of f-block elements.
4. Applications in Catalysis and Materials Science: Exploring the potential of lanthanoid and actinoid complexes in catalysis, luminescence, magnetism, and other technologically relevant areas.

Prof. Dr. Spyros Perlepes
Guest Editor

Dr. Sokratis T. Tsantis
Guest Editor Assistant

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• lanthanoid chemistry
• actinoid chemistry
• catalytic properties
• magnetic properties
• luminescent properties
• theoretical and computational studies