Spectroscopic studies, lead relativistic effects

Experimental investigations of spectroscopic and other physical-chemical properties of actinides are severely hampered by their radioactive decay and radiation which lead to chemical modifications of the systems under study. The diversity of properties of lanthanide and actinide compounds is unique due to the multitude of their valency forms (which can vary over a wide range) and because of the particular importance of relativistic effects. They are, therefore, of great interest, both for fundamental research and for the development of new technologies and materials. The most important practical problems involve storage and processing of radioactive waste and nuclear fuel, as well as pollution of the environment by radioactive waste, where most of the decayed elements are actinides. 

Taken together, the studies that have been conducted to date on the absorption, photoelectron, vibrational, and NMR spectra of Pb(II) compounds suggest that divalent lead is far from spectroscopically silent . These studies have provided useful insights into the electronic structure of Pb(II) compounds and the role that relativistic effects play in determining the properties of Pb(II). In addition, they provide useful tools not only for characterizing the fundamental coordination chemistry of lead (Section IV), but also for determining lead coordination environments in complex environmental (Section V) and biological (Section VI) samples. 

Although relatively understudied compared to transition metals, Pb(II) exhibits a rich coordination chemistry. Because lead is subject to relativistic effects, the electronic properties of Pb(ll) complexes are diverse and interesting. Fortunately, a wide variety of spectroscopic techniques are available to probe the properties of these compounds. In addition, detailed studies on the structures, kinetics, and thermodynamics of lead compounds provide important insights into the environmental and biological chemistry of lead(II). Through this chapter, we hope not only to have provided an overview to the chemistry of Pb(ll), but also to have corrected several misconceptions about this element ... 

---