Chemical properties of rutherfordium (Rf) and dubnium (Db) in the aqueous phase

Nagame, Yuichiro ; Kratz, J. V.*; Schdel, M.*

Recent studies of the chemical separation and characterization experiments of superheavy elements, rutherfordium (Rf) and dubnium (Db), conducted atom-at-a-time in aqueous phases, are reviewed. A short description on experimental techniques based on partition methods, specifically automated rapid chemical separation systems, is also given. A newly developed experimental approach to investigate single atoms of the heaviest elements with an electrochemical method is introduced. Perspectives for aqueous-phase chemistry experiments on heavier elements are briefly discussed.