The results of kinetic investigations for the reactions of Np(V) and U(VI) with methanediphosphonic acid (MDPA), 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDPA), and of Np(V) with Arsenazo III in acetate buffer media (/ = 0.1 M) are presented. Rate and activation parameters have been determined for the complex formation reaction of Np(V) with Arsenazo III, complex formation between U(VI) and the diphosphonate ligands, and for both formation and dissociation reactions of the Np(V)-diphosphonate complexes. The activation parameters are generally consistent with an associative mechanism for complex formation and dissociation reactions in all systems. Isokinetic plots suggest a common mechanism for the actinyl (V and VI) reactions with MDPA and HEDPA. A distinct isokinetic relationship exists for the actinyl derivatives of chromotropic acid derivatives Arsenazo III and Chlorophosphonazo III. In acetate buffer media, Np(V) reacts more rapidly with the diphosphonate ligands than U(VI) despite its lower formal charge and the smaller thermodynamic driving force for complex formation.