Americium(III) Chloride
Americium(III) chloride is a chemical compound with the formula AmCl3. It consists of americium ions, which have a +3 charge, and chloride ions, which have a -1 charge.
This compound is typically prepared by reacting americium oxide (Am2O3) with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce Americium(III) chloride and water:
Am2O3 + 6 HCl → 2 AmCl3 + 3 H2O
Americium(III) chloride is a white solid that is soluble in water and has a high melting point of approximately 950°C. It is hygroscopic, meaning that it readily absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause it to form a solution or become sticky and difficult to handle.
In its solid state, Americium(III) chloride adopts a crystal structure that belongs to the space group P63/mmc. This crystal structure contains octahedral coordination around the americium ions; each americium ion is surrounded by six chloride ions arranged in an octahedral geometry.
Americium(III) chloride is a radioactive compound due to the presence of americium-241, which undergoes alpha decay with a half-life of approximately 432 years. The compound is therefore a significant source of alpha radiation, which requires appropriate handling and containment procedures to minimize exposure risks.