LLNL Researchers Discover New Way To 'Cage' Plutonium

Plutonium's complex chemistry leads to unexpected molecular arrangements in new study.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Oregon State University have discovered a new way to 'cage' plutonium using polyoxometalates (POMs), a special class of large, metal-oxygen molecular clusters. By binding a plutonium ion between two Keggin POM cages, the team was able to study the unusual molecular arrangements of the plutonium complexes, highlighting plutonium's reputation as a 'chemical wild card'.

Why it matters

This research provides a new approach to exploring the complex chemistry of some of the most challenging elements in the periodic table, like plutonium. Understanding plutonium's behavior at the molecular level is crucial for advancing nuclear science and technology, as well as ensuring the safe handling and storage of this radioactive material.

The details

The team used a Keggin-shaped POM, a hollow, negatively charged cluster built mostly from tungsten and oxygen, to bind a plutonium ion. This is the first time chemists have successfully bound plutonium to a POM. By applying advanced analytical techniques, the researchers found that while the immediate bonding around the plutonium atom looked familiar, the plutonium complexes had arranged themselves at right angles to one another, unlike the parallel arrangements seen in other metals. This unusual behavior highlights plutonium's reputation as a 'chemical wild card' and helps explain why it has long defied simple models.

  • The research was published in Inorganic Chemistry in 2026.

The players

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

A U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in Livermore, California, that specializes in nuclear science, national security, and environmental research.

Sandia National Laboratories

A U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that develops science-based technologies to ensure global peace.

Oregon State University

A public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, that is known for its programs in science, engineering, and environmental research.

Ian Colliard

A researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and co-author of the study.

Gauthier Deblonde

A researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“These findings indicate that the team's microscale POM approach offers a viable pathway to exploring some of the most challenging elements in the periodic table - one molecule at a time.”

— Shelby Conn (Mirage News)

The takeaway

This research demonstrates a novel approach to studying the complex chemistry of plutonium, a notoriously difficult element to work with. By using polyoxometalates as 'molecular cages', the team was able to gain new insights into plutonium's unique behavior, paving the way for further advancements in nuclear science and technology.