Chemistry of Berkelium
- Page ID
- 35400
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Berkelium was synthesized by Thompson, Ghiorso and Seaborg (see element 106) in 1949 and named for the site of its discovery: Berkeley, California. The initial synthesis was achieved by bombarding Am-241 with alpha particles. Two neutrons are ejected and a nucleus of Bk-243 results.
\[ \ce{^4_2He + ^{241}_{95}Am \rightarrow ^{243}_{97}Bk + 2 ^1_0n } \nonumber \]
The longest-lived isotope of berkelium is Bk-247 with a half-life of 1,400 years.
Contributors and Attributions
Stephen R. Marsden