ABSTRACT
Since the discovery of radioactivity, radiochemistry has contributed not only to the development of many existing fields of chemistry, but also to the new theme of the chemistry of natural and artificial radioelements. This latter topic is in fact a realm of radiochemistry, and the 20% extension of the Mendeleev periodic table during the last 50 years represents a phase of unsurpassed rapidity in the discovery of elements. The chemistry of several radioelements is particularly impressive and that of Pu is probably more thoroughly investigated than the chemistry of more common elements. Interestingly enough, radiochemistry has also contributed to a better knowledge of many stable elements.
