Metallic Neptunium

The phases of metallic neptunium, and their densities and transition temperatures, are listed in Table 9.12.

Metallic neptunium is prepared by reducing NpF4 with calcium. Neptunium yields of about 99 percent have been obtained from 100- to 400-g quantities of NpF4, with 30 percent excess calcium and with 0.25 to 035 mol of iodine booster per mole of NpF4. Metallic neptunium forms a protective oxide layer in air at room temperature, but it rapidly oxidizes at higher temperatures. It dissolves readily in HC1 and H2 S04 [K2].