Thermodynamics of solvent extraction of thorium by solutions of HHTA and mixtures of HHTA and TBP

The changes in free energy, enthalpy and entropy for the extraction of thorium by solutions of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and mixtures of solutions of HTTA and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP), in three diluents, viz. cyclohexane, benzene and chloroform, were determined using the solvent extraction data obtained at different temperatures. From these data the thermodynamic parameters associated with the formation of Th(TTA)₄ · TBP in the respective organic diluents were evaluated. Trends in the enthalpy changes were attributed to different degrees of association of the diluents with themselves and with the solutes present in them.