The published data on the properties of actinide(V) ions in aqueous solutio
ns were analyzed. Nonmonotonic variation of the An(VI)/An(V) potential in t
he U, Np, Pu, Am series and of the stability constants of actinide(V) oxala
te complexes is presumed to be due to the difference in hydration numbers o
f AnO(2)(+) ions: NpO2+ and AmO2+ coordinate 5 water molecules in their equ
atorial plane, while PuO2+, only 4, Probably UO2+ also coordinates 4 water
molecules.