The superheavy elements (SHEs) are both rare and rarely studied. Their chemistry is strongly influenced by relativistic effects that change their anticipated physical and chemical properties. Experimental data is scarce for SHEs, and each new measurement provides critical information that helps to evaluate their chemical properties and gain a better understanding of chemical trends across the periodic table. Writing in Frontiers in Chemistry a team of researchers from Germany, Sweden and Poland led by Alexander Yakushev describe their investigations into how relativistic effects might affect the chemical properties of nihonium (Nh) and moscovium (Mc).

Previous experiments with Fl (element 114) have suggested unexpected chemical behaviour in this region of the periodic table, making it particularly worthwhile to investigate its neighbouring elements, Nh (113) and Mc (115), to further understand the influence of relativistic effects on their chemistry. In addition to relativistic effects, Yakushev and co-workers propose that the presence of unpaired electrons in these odd-numbered elements contribute to the observed differences in adsorption energy. The lower reactivity of Nh relative to Tl may stem from the relativistic stabilization of the 7p1/2 valence orbital, which lies closer to the nucleus. Intriguingly, though, Mc displays similarly low reactivity.