High-pressure routes to pentavalent lanthanoids

The aim of the proposed experiment is to achieve Pr(5+) by a reaction between PrO2 and oxygen in laser-heated diamond anvil cells (DACs). Synthesis and structural analysis based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction will be performed at the beamline ID27 of ESRF. Application of pressure in a chemical synthesis is expected to promote the formation of compounds containing elements in their uncommon oxidation states, which in turn results in previously inaccessible compositions and physical properties. The discovery of novel species with high oxidation states helps to expand chemical understanding of the behavior of elements and their compounds. The successful synthesis of a compound containing a pentavalent lanthanoid would undoubtedly be a major achievement in inorganic chemistry, not only expanding our current knowledge about the f-elements, but also offering a unique opportunity to study the physical and chemical properties of an unprecedented Ln(5+) ion.