Why is curium paramagnetic but metallic plutonium isn't ? Until recently, the theoretical descriptions of actinide elements failed to explain this observation. A new approach has now come up with a surprising answer: quantum superposition between different states is to blame for the eccentric behaviour of Pu.
Read my story here:
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/March/28030702.asp
This figure shows how Pu is sitting "on the edge" between two different kinds of properties, but note that the labels "Actinides" and "Rare earths" should be swapped!
figure source:
Science 22 August 2003:
Vol. 301. no. 5636, pp. 1057 - 1059
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