A critical review on the stability constants of the fluoride complexes of actinides in aqueous solution and their correlation with fundamental properties of the ions

Literature data on the stability constants of the fluoride complexes of the actinides in different oxidation states have been compiled. In order to have a reasonable inter-comparison, the stability constant (beta(1)) values obtained in diverse ionic strength media are converted to so called thermodynamic stability constants, beta(1)(0) using the DAVIES equation (a modification of Debye-Huckel equation). A correlation of the beta(1)(0) values with the fundamental properties of the actinide ions using various models available in the literature has been attempted. Using the values of ionic radii and best available values of the stability constants of a large number of metal ions from recent compilations a comparative study of the various models or relations available in the literature has been tried. For metal ions in general, the semi-empirical relation recently developed by BROWN, SYLVA and ELLIS (BSE equation) gives the best correlation. In an attempt to accommodate the unusual trend in the stability constants of the tetravalent actinides a modification in a parameter of the BSE equation has been proposed. Good agreement between the theoretically calculated and experimentally determined values for actinides in different oxidation states is obtained in most of the cases. Further improvements in theoretical relation as well as experimental data are required for better correlation.