Covalency and the Relative Roles of 5f and 6d Orbitals in Actinide Metal-Ligand Bonds

Actinides show much more variable chemical behaviors than any other elements. A deep understanding of their complex properties is absolutely key to the sustainability, safety and security of nuclear facilities. The talk will summarize the latest advances in actinide chemistry and emphasize how progress in this area will help solving some of the most severe problems associated with the deployment of nuclear power plants.