The synthesis and isolation of meitnerium is complicated by the fact that the isotopes that can be synthesized quickly decay. The most stable isotope of meitnerium, number 276, has a half life of only 720 milliseconds. The short amount of time that this element exists before it decays further hinders scientific research on the chemical traits and properties of meitnerium.
Meitnerium was first synthesized in 1982. At this time researchers used the elements bismuth and iron. During the synthesis procedure, an isotope of bismuth, number 209, was used as a target. The target was bombarded with iron nuclei which produced an isotope, number 266, of meitnerium; one extra neutron was also produced during the procedure. The synthesis of meitnerium had great scientific implications; it proved that nuclear fusion techniques could result in the production of heavy new nuclei. The isolation of meitnerium is under serious debate as it deteriorates quickly once it is synthesized.
