Project Grant 2247452

This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry provides $535,487 to Purdue University under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences federal grant program (CFDA 47.049) for the period from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2026. Professor Suzanne Bart from Purdue University's Department of Chemistry will utilize the funding to study bonding in low-valent organoactinide compounds through the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity analysis of reduced uranium and thorium complexes. This research aims to better understand the electronic structures and applications of understudied low oxidation state organoactinide compounds. In addition to the scientific work, the award supports the training of graduate and undergraduate students in actinide chemistry, outreach to educate high school students, and mental health programs for graduate students. The funding will allow Purdue University to advance knowledge of actinide element bonding critical to nuclear energy and waste handling applications, while integrating actinide chemistry topics into education curricula to develop the next generation of scientists in this nationally important field.