Neptunium (pronounced /nɛpˈtjuːniəm/, nep-TEW-nee-əm) is a chemical element with the symbol Np and atomic number 93. A radioactive metallic element, neptunium is the first transuranic element and belongs to the actinide series. Its most stable isotope, Np, is a by-product of nuclear reactors and plutonium production and it can be used as a component in neutron detection equipment. Neptunium is also found in trace amounts in uranium ores due to tr...
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Neptunium (pronounced /nɛpˈtjuːniəm/, nep-TEW-nee-əm) is a chemical element with the symbol Np and atomic number 93. A radioactive metallic element, neptunium is the first transuranic element and belongs to the actinide series. Its most stable isotope, Np, is a by-product of nuclear reactors and plutonium production and it can be used as a component in neutron detection equipment. Neptunium is also found in trace amounts in uranium ores due to transmutation reactions.
Silvery in appearance, neptunium metal is fairly chemically reactive and is found in at least three allotropes:
This element has four ionic oxidation states while in solution:
Neptunium forms tri- and tetrahalides such as NpF3, NpF4, NpCl4, NpBr3, NpI3, and oxides of the various compositions such as are found in the uranium-oxygen system, including Np3O8 and NpO2.
Neptunium(V) fluoride, NpF5, is volatile like uranium hexafluoride.
Neptunium, like other actinides, readily forms a dioxide neptunyl core (NpO2), which...
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