Scandium, yttrium, the lanthanides and the actinides

Many interesting new results have been reported, both from the "usual suspects" (research groups of Evans, Ephritikhine, Lappert, Marks, Parker et al.) and from other groups, notably that of Mayer. Highlights this year include the synthesis of anhydrous uranyl iodide, following last year's report of hydrated uranyl iodide; remarkable addition reactions of a uranium(III) tris(aryloxide) including a complex of linear-bound CO, and evidence for alkane co-ordination to an uranium (indeed, there seems to be much more interest in uranium chemistry as a whole); continued advances in organolanthanide catalysis; and more N complexes of the lanthanides. And, of course, first reports have appeared concerning the syntheses of elements 113 and 115. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2005.