The incorporation of Pu and Np in one zirconolite and a number of perovskite formulations has been investigated under oxidising and reducing conditions. The Pu valence in both perovskite and zirconolite was found to vary independently of the crystal chemical design by altering the annealing atmosphere, from Pu(4+) in air to Pu(3+) in 3.5% H(2)/N(2). For both atmospheres, only tetravalent Np was found in the zirconolite. Tetravalent Np was observed in perovskites fired in air, but trivalent Np was stabilised in suitable perovskite formulations annealed under a reducing atmosphere. A trivalent Np phosphate, NpPO(4), was also prepared under reducing conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.