Separating f-Elements and Harnessing Their Unique Properties When Globalization Breeds Conformity

With a large number of lanthanides deemed critical materials, f-elements play a major role in many human-driven activities, such as in nuclear energy, clean energy technologies and catalysis. Separation of f-elements from each other can be arduous due to their similar physical and chemical properties, and significant efforts are currently being pursued to develop more efficient partitioning processes. These processes are not only important in the context of the nuclear fuel cycle but also to ensure adequate supply of those metals that are among the most critical materials for clean energy technologies, and for which future supply disruptions can be avoided with new strategies for recovery and recycling. As a result of these needs, novel approaches to detect, separate and recover f-block elements are direly needed. Harnessing the unique capabilities of f-block metal cations so that one may selective tune the resulting properties involves exercising control over the first coordination sphere of the metal ions. Using high-affinity, chelating ligands is one pathway for controlling Ln local coordination geometry, and currently the highest affinity <i>f</i>-block binding is achieved by organic, bio-inspired ligands. We will discuss some innovative ligand synthetic pathways linking specific metal binding units to polyamine, macrocyclic, and polymeric peptoid and protein scaffolds, which, combined with advanced structural characterization techniques are used to achieve unprecedented f-element separation under a wide range of conditions. In a time that favors harmonization, creative scientific solutions to global challenges often necessitate input from a wide variety of backgrounds. The results presented here stem from a team that boasts diversity in scientific discipline, cultural background, and seniority level. Applying our diversity and taking advantage of each f-element’s uniqueness, we seek to facilitate new technologies that can be accessed by all.