AFTER THE ACTINIDES, THEN WHAT

More sophisticated nuclear syntheses, together with more rapid means o f separation and detection, have led to the identification of elements with atomic numbers up to 111. Chemical experiments have been carried out for elements 104 and 105 (and are in prospect for 106) indicating them to be members of a 6d transition series. Chemical properties hav e been predicted for heavier elements but it remains to be seen if sta ble 'magic number' nuclei with atomic numbers around 114 can be made.