astatine205

Astatine-205, denoted as 205At, is a radioactive isotope of astatine. Astatine is a chemical element with the symbol At and atomic number 85. It is the rarest naturally occurring element on Earth. Isotopes of astatine are highly radioactive and short-lived, with none having a stable form.

Astatine-205 has a relatively long half-life compared to other astatine isotopes, making it one of the more stable forms. Its decay primarily occurs through electron capture, transforming into polonium-205. In some instances, it may also undergo alpha decay, producing bismuth-201. Due to its radioactivity, astatine-205 is not found in significant quantities in nature and is typically produced artificially in laboratories through nuclear reactions.

Research into astatine isotopes, including astatine-205, has been driven by potential applications in nuclear medicine, particularly in targeted alpha therapy for cancer treatment. Alpha-emitting isotopes are of interest because their short-range alpha particles can deliver a high dose of radiation to cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. However, the practical application of astatine isotopes in medicine is still an area of ongoing research and development. The production and handling of astatine-205 require specialized facilities due to its radioactivity.