Ames Laboratory, Iowa, USA

The Lanthanides and Actinides: Synthesis, Reactivity, Properties and Applications constitutes an introduction to and comprehensive coverage of f-block chemistry encompassing the following areas: periodicity, natural occurrence and extraction, separations, electronic structure, coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, small molecule activation, catalysis, organic synthesis applications, magnetism, spectroscopy, computation, materials, photonics, solar cell technology, biological imaging, and technological applications. Under these subject areas the book provides a broad but deep coverage, providing basic overviews as well as detailed chapters on specific areas.This book, targeted at academics, postgraduates and advanced undergraduates, will serve as an ideal introductory text and key reference work to the Lanthanides and Actinides.

This book has been conceived to collect the most important recent advances in all areas of hydride chemistry research, including chemical reactivity, instrumental investigation, theory, and applications in the areas of catalysis, biochemistry and materials science. Many of the chapters have been written by the plenary lecturers of the EURO-Hydrides 2000 conference, but other leading scientists in this field have also been invited to contribute. The first part of the book focuses on the chemistry and catalysis of transition metal hydrides. Another block of chapters illustrates the most recent advances in the application of instrumental techniques to the study of the properties and reactivity of hydride compounds. The final part of the book illustrates the relevance of metal-hydrogen bonds in biochemistry and materials science. All of the chapters of this book have been evaluated by independent reviewers.