Berkelium

Name:
Berkelium
Detailed information:
Synthetic radioactive element with atomic number 97, first produced (1949) as the 243 isotope by bombarding americium with helium ions in a cyclotron. The chemical properties of berkelium have been studied by tracer techniques and are similar to those of the other transuranium elements. Its oxidation behavior is similar to that of the rare earth cerium. It has a mp of 986C. There are 8 isotopes ranging from 243 to 250; the 249 isotope has been made by neutron bombardment of curium 244. Atomic weight is generally accepted as 249. The following compounds have been identified by X-ray diffraction: berkelium dioxide (BkO₂), berkelium sesquioxide (Bk₂O₃), berkelium trifluoride (BkF₃), berkelium trichloride (BkCl₃), and berkelium oxychloride (BkOCl).

M Formula:	Bk