Berkelium compounds

<p><a href="/facts/Berkelium/ePryEYy3">Berkelium</a> forms a number of <a href="/facts/Chemical_compound/37FXqqtv">chemical compounds</a>, where it normally exists in an <a href="/facts/Oxidation_number/W53W6s6V">oxidation state</a> of +3 or +4, and behaves similarly to its <a href="/facts/Lanthanide/rt3XIRCl">lanthanide</a> analogue, <a href="/facts/Terbium/ICF3PMED">terbium</a>. Like all actinides, berkelium easily dissolves in various <a href="/facts/Aqueous_solution/eRNr3MH2">aqueous inorganic acids</a>, liberating gaseous <a href="/facts/Hydrogen/BoYHjl0J">hydrogen</a> and converting into the trivalent oxidation state. This trivalent state is the most stable, especially in <a href="/facts/Aqueous_solution/eRNr3MH2">aqueous solutions</a>, but tetravalent berkelium compounds are also known. The existence of divalent berkelium salts is uncertain and has only been reported in mixed <a href="/facts/Lanthanum_chloride/IrfXFC7Y">lanthanum chloride</a>-<a href="/facts/Strontium_chloride/ekDUxqhm">strontium chloride</a> melts. Aqueous solutions of Bk3+ ions are green in most acids. The color of the Bk4+ ions is yellow in hydrochloric acid and orange-yellow in sulfuric acid. Berkelium does not react rapidly with <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a> at room temperature, possibly due to the formation of a protective oxide surface layer; however, it reacts with molten metals, <a href="/facts/Hydrogen/BoYHjl0J">hydrogen</a>, <a href="/facts/Halogen/YeFgWHeA">halogens</a>, <a href="/facts/Chalcogen/nXLGmnqL">chalcogens</a> and <a href="/facts/Pnictogen/jX4hvCkK">pnictogens</a> to form various binary compounds. Berkelium can also form several <a href="/facts/Organometallic_compound/bhqFz2P0">organometallic compounds</a>.
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Berkelium compounds open-in-new

Berkelium compounds