Synthesis, characterization, and high-pressure studies of a 3D berkelium(III) carboxylate framework material.

A berkelium(III) mellitate, Bk 2 [C 6 (CO 2 ) 6 ](H 2 O) 8 ·2H 2 O, was synthesized and rapidly crystallized by reacting mellitic acid, C 6 (CO 2 H) 6 , and BkBr 3 · n H 2 O in an aqueous medium. Single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the compound crystallizes as a three-dimensional framework isostructural with Pu(III), Am(III), and Cm(III) mellitates. UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic studies as a function of pressure were performed using a diamond anvil cell and show that the 5f → 5f transitions of Bk 3+ display enhanced hypsochromic shifting when compared to other An(III) mellitates.