Rapid determination of thorium in ores : Estimation of trace amounts of thorium in complex minerals and ores

A very rapid method for the estimation, of trace amounts of thorium up to 0.01 per cent. or thereabouts even in complex minerals like ilmenite and columbitetantalite has been described. Thorium is collected in an acid solution with phosphates of zirconium and titanium without prior separation of silica, after decomposition of the mineral with sodium peroxide. Thorium is next collected as fluoride with lanthanum as a carrier, precipitated as thorium iodate in potassium iodate-oxalic acid mixture and finally titrated against 0.01N sodium thiosulphate. Accurate results are obtained within a short time of two working days.     

Gravimetric estimation of thorium with N-phenylanthranilic acid

Summary From nitric or hydrochloric acid medium thorium is quantitatively precipitated by N-phenylanthranilic acid in the range of pH 1.5–3.4 as a light yellow compound, which can be dried to a definite composition, Th(C₁₃H₁₀NO₂)₄, at 110° C. This has been utilized for the direct gravimetric estimation of thorium and its separation from uranium(VI), cerium(III), aluminium and iron at a pH of ca. 2.0–2.5.This method is superior to most of the existing methods for the estimation of thorium since quantitative precipitation occurs at a relatively low pH and the thorium compound, which has a high molecular weight, can be weighed directly, thus making possible the determination of rather small quantities (ca. 5 mg) of thorium with fair accuracy (error less than 1%).

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Zusammenfassung Thorium kann aus salpeter-oder salzsaurer Lösung im pH-Bereich 1,5–3,4 mit Hilfe von N-Phenylanthranilsäure als hellgelber Niederschlag quantitativ ausgefällt werden. Der Mederschlag kann bei 110°C zu definierter Zusammensetzung getrocknet werden [Th(C₁₃H₁₀NO₂)₄]. Diese Fällung wurde zur direkten gravimetrischen Bestimmung von Thorium und seiner Trennung von Uran(VI), Cer(III), Aluminium und Eisen bei pH 2,0–2,5 benutzt. Das Verfahren ist den meisten bekannten Methoden überlegen, das die Fällung bei relativ niedrigem pH durchgeführt und die Thoriumverbindung (die ein hohes Molekulargewicht hat) direkt gewogen werden kann. Kleine Mengen Thorium (etwa 5 mg) können mit recht guter Genauigkeit bestimmt werden (Fehler kleiner als 1%).

     

5: 6-Benzoquinaldinic acid as an analytical reagent: Determination of thorium and zirconium

Thorium and zirconium are determined in the presence of rare earths, alkaline earths and magnesium, when precipitated from weakly acid solution with 5:6-benzoquinaldinic acid. Thorium is completely precipitated at pH 3.0 as Th(C₁₄H₈O₂N)₄, but though zirconium is precipitated at the lower pH of 1.8, its composition is not stoichiometric and hence is ignited to the oxide before weighing. Co-precipitation of magnesium and alkaline earths is prevented by the addition of ammonium chloride.     

Extraction chromatographic separation of thorium (IV) with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO)

Thorium was extracted from a mixture of nitric acid and NaNO₃ of 0.01M each at pH 2.2 on a column of silica gel coated with TOPO. Thorium was separated from alkalis, alkaline earths, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lead, trivalent rare earths, platinum group metals, chloride, phosphate and acetate in binary mixtures by selective extraction of thorium. Thorium was separated from cerium (IV), zirconium, uranium and molybdenum by selective elution of thorium with 0.01M H₂SO₄. The method was extended for the analysis of thorium in monozite ore.     

Column chromatographic separation of thorium(IV) from ascorbic acid medium using poly-(dibenzo-18-crown-6)

A simple separation method has been developed for thorium(IV) using poly-(dibenzo-18-crown-6) and column chromatography. The separation was carried out from ascorbic acid medium. The adsorption of thorium(IV) was quantitative from 0.001-0.01M ascorbic acid. The elution of thorium(IV) was quantitative with 4.0-8.0M HCl, 3.0-6.0M HClO₄, 4.0-8.0M H₂SO₄ and 1.0-8.0M HBr. The capacity of poly-(dibenzo-18-crown-6) for thorium(IV) was found to be 1.379±0.01 m^.mol/g of crown polymer. Thorium(IV) was separated from a number of cations in binary as well as in multicomponent mixtures. The method was extended to the determination of thorium in monazite sand. It is possible to separate and determine 5 ppm of thorium(IV) by this method. The method is very simple, rapid, selective and has good reproducibility (approximately ±2%).     

Thermal studies on thorium(IV) complexes of 1-butyl-1-methylpiperazinium iodide

Thorium(IV) complexes of the type Th(NO₃)₄·3L·2C₂H₅OH, Th(SCN)₄·L·C₂H₅OH and Th(SO₄)₂·2L·2C₂H₅OH (L=1-butyl-1-methylpiperazinium iodide(I) have been synthesised. From thermogravimetric (TG) curves, the decomposition pattern of the compounds has been analysed. The order, activation energy and apparent activation entropy of the thermal decomposition reaction have been elucidated. The heat of reaction has been calculated from differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies.     

Complexometric estimation of thorium

Summary Thorium has been determined by titration with EDTA (disodium salt) solution as complexometric reagent at p_H 3–4.5 using a drop of 0.01 M iron(III) solution mixed with thiocyanate-p-anisidine as indicator. Calcium, barium, strontium, magnesium or manganese ions do not interfere, but zinc, zirconium, lead, silver, aluminium, bismuth, phosphate, fluoride or oxalate ions interfere in this estimation. In these complexometric titrations the quantitative results obtained by using a drop of iron(III) solution mixed with thiocyanate-p-anisidine as indicator are comparable with those obtained with pyrocatechol violet indicator.

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Zusammenfassung Thorium wird bei p_H 4–4,5 mit ÄDTA titriert, wobei ein Gemisch eines Tropfens Eisen(III)-lösung mit Thiocyanat-p-Anisidinlösung als Indicator dient. Calcium, Barium, Strontium, Magnesium oder Mangan verursachen keine Störung, wogegen folgende Ionen stören: Zink, Zirkonium, Blei, Silber, Aluminium, Wismut, Phosphat, Fluorid oder Oxalat. Der erwähnte Mischindicator liefert ähnlich genaue Titrationsergebnisse wie bei Verwendung von Brenzcatechinviolett als Indicator.

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The authors take this opportunity to thank the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (India) for the award of Junior Fellowship to one of them (junior author). This has enabled us to pursue the study of complexometric titrations.     

Detection of sub-micro quantities of thorium by solocnrome azurine B. S.

Summary Solochrome Azurine B. S. has been introduced as a new colour reagent for the detection of thorium in sub-micro quantities. Thorium gives a bluish violet colour with the dye at p_H 4. The limit of identification is 0.22g of thorium.

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Zusammenfassung Solochrom Azurin B. S. wird als neues Farbreagens für den Nachweis von Thorium in Mikrogrammengen vorgeschlagen. Thorium gibt mit dem Farbstoff bei p_H 4 eine blauviolette Farbe. Die Erfassungsgrenze beträgt 0,22g Thorium.

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Résumé On a introduit la Solochrome Azurine B. S. comme nouveau réactif colorimétrique pour déceler les quantités submicro de thorium. Celui-ci donne une couleur violet bleuâtre avec le colorant à p_H 4. La limite de dilution est de 0,22g de thorium.

     

Determination of uranium and thorium in phosphate rocks by a combined ion-exchange — Spectrophotometric method

Summary Determination of Uranium and Thorium in Phosphate Rocks by a Combined Ion-Exchange — Spectrophotometric Method A selective anion-exchange separation and Spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of uranium and thorium in phosphate rocks. About 0.2 g of rock sample is decomposed with nitric acid. Uranium and thorium are adsorbed by anion-exchange on an Amberlite CG 400 (NO₃ ^–) column from the sample solution adjusted to 2.5M in magnesium nitrate and 0.1M in nitric acid. Uranium and thorium are eluted consecutively with 6.6M nitric acid and 0.1M nitric acid, respectively. Uranium and thorium in the respective effluents are determined spectrophotometrically with Arsenazo III. Results are quoted on uranium and thorium in NBS standard phosphate rock and others.     

Studies on complex compounds of thorium(IV) with pyridine and quinoline carboxylic acid. Part I

Summary Thorium acetylacetonate [Th(acac)₄] reacts with pyridine carboxylic acids in acetone giving eight coordinate thorum(IV) complexes of the compositions [Th(pic)₄] and [Th(picO)₄] (picH = picolinic acid, picOH = picolinic acidN-oxide). The complex [Th(dip)₂] · 3H₂O (dipH₂ = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) is also reported. Thorium(IV) complexes of the types [Th(quin)₂] · 2H₂O and [Th(quind)₂(acac)₂] (quinH₂ = quinolinic acid or pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, quindH = quinaldinic acid) were prepared by the interaction of [Th(acac)₄] with the respective acids in acetone. The lower solubility and i.r. spectral studies of the complex [Th(quin)₂] · 2 H₂O suggest that it is polymeric.     

The determination of trace amounts of zirconium,hafnium, thorium and cerium in silicate rocks

A method is described for the determination of traces of zirconium, hafnium, cerium and thorium in rocks. After the sample has been opened up, these elements are separated from the major component elements by extraction from 10 N nitric acid with a 40% solution of tri-n-butyl phosphate, cerium being oxidised with bro-mate. After back-extraction the elements are separated from each other and from other extracted elements by cation exchange. Zirconium is determined photometrically with quinalizarin sulphonic acid which gives about twice the sensitivity of alizarin red S. Thorium is determined photometrically with thorin, and cerium by utilizing its bleaching action on iron(II) phenanthroline. Hf is determined spectro-graphically.     

Selective extraction—Complexometric determination of thorium

A new selective analytical extraction method for thorium is described which is based on the extraction of thorium(IV) with n-butylaniline in chloroform. Thorium is selectively and quantitatively extracted from 1N to 2.5N sulphuric acid media in the presence of EDTA and ascorbic acid. Most of the cations do not interfere in the extraction of thorium. Phosphate, oxalate, citrate, tartarate, nitrate, chloride, borate, and arsenate do not interfere. Dichromate, chromate, and vanadate, on reduction with ascorbic acid, cause no interference. The interference due to fluoride can be easily eliminated with boric acid in the presence of dilute sulphuric acid. The method is simple, rapid, and selective, as compared to most of the methods reported for the extraction of thorium. The method is adaptable for macro and micro work. The method is, however, the only analytical method for the extraction of thorium in sulphuric acid media.     

Paper chromatographic separation of thorium, zirconium and uranium

Summary The possibility of paper chromatographic separation of a number of elements (Th, U, Zr, Fe, Mg, Ni, Co, Ce, La, Y, Sm, Gd) has been studied, employing solvent mixtures containing tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) as principal constituent. Various factors that influence the R_f values have been investigated. It has been made possible to separate only thorium and uranium from the other elements including the rare earths and also from one another. Only thorium and uranium move under the conditions studied, the others remain stationary on the starting line. The solvent mixture methylisobutyl ketone-isobutyl alcohol-TBP (503812) shaken with 4 M HNO₃ proved to be a good mobile solvent for the separation of thorium and uranium. Thorium has also been separated from monazite extract. A single chromatogenic spray (-SNADNS-6) has been used for the detection of all the elements. Thorium, uranium and zirconium have also been quantitatively estimated after chromatographic separation by EDTA titration using the same dye.

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Zusammenfassung Die Möglichkeit der papierchromatographischen Trennung verschiedener Elemente (Th, U, Zr, Fe, Mg, Ni, Co, Ce, La, Y, Sm, Gd) mit tributylphosphathaltigen Laufmitteln ist untersucht worden. Hierbei wurde die Beeinflussung der R_f-Werte durch verschiedene Faktoren geprüft und eine Möglichkeit zur Trennung von Thorium und Uran voneinander sowie von anderen Metallen gefunden. Als Laufmittel hat sich am besten das Gemisch Methylisobutylketon-Isobutanol-Tributylphosphat (503812), äquilibriert mit 4 n Salpetersäure, bewährt. Nur U und Th wandern, alle anderen Elemente bleiben auf der Startlinie. Thorium konnte auch aus Monazitextrakt abgetrennt werden. -SNADNS-6 dient als einziges Nachweisreagens für alle genannten Metalle und wird auch als Indicator benutzt bei der komplexometrischen Titration von Zr, Th und U im Anschluß an die papierchromatographische Abtrennung.

     

Complexometric titration of submicromole amounts of thorium(IV) with photometric end-point detection

Summary Thorium(IV) can be determined in the microgram range by photometric titration with EDTA in the presence of an approximately equivalent amount of the indicator Semi-Xylenol Orange at pH 2 (HClO₄). Most other elements do not interfere. Interfering metal ions can be separated from thorium(IV) by electrolysis at a mercury pool cathode.

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Zusammenfassung Mikrogrammengen Thorium(IV) lassen sich durch photometrische Titration mit EDTA in Anwesenheit einer äquivalenten Menge des Indikators Semixylenol-Orange bei pH 2 (HClO₄) bestimmen. Die meisten anderen Metalle stören die Bestimmung nicht. Störende Metallionen können durch elektrolytische Abscheidung an einer Quecksilberkathode von Thorium (IV) abgetrennt werden.

     

Extraction-photometric determination of thorium with chlorophosphonazo-III

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric determination of thorium is described. The thorium-chlorophosphonazo-III complex is extracted into 3-methyl-1-butanol from 2.0–3.0 M hydrochloric acid solution. Maximum absorbance occurs at 620 and 670 nm and Beer's law is obeyed at the latter wavelength over the range of 0–15 μg per 10 ml of the organic phase. The molar absorptivity is 12.2·10⁴ l mole^-1 cm^-1 at 670 nm. Thorium can be determined in the presence of fluoride, oxalate, sulfate and EDTA. Many common cations do not interfere, but uranium, zirconium and niobium interfere seriously.     

A titrimetric method for the sequential determination of thorium and plutonium

A method for the sequential determination of thorium and plutonium has been developed. In the sample solution containing thorium and plutonium, thorium is first determined by complexometric titration with EDTA and then in the same solution plutonium is determined by redox titration employing potentiometry. Prior to the determination of plutonium, EDTA is destroyed by fuming with concentrated HClO₄. Thorium is determined at 10 mg level and plutonium at 1 mg level with precision and accuracy of better than ±0.5%.     

Spectrophotometric determination of silicon in thorium oxide

A method is described for the spcctrophotometric determination of microgram quantities of silicon in the presence of thorium. Thorium oxide is dissolved by heating it at 70 to 8o°C in 4M HNO₃ that contains 2 drops of HF. Under these conditions, no silicon is lost through volatilization. The silicon is estimated as the blue ailicomolybdate complex. Under the conditions selected for development of color, a precipitate of thorium molybdate is obtained ; the thorium molybdate is, however, dissolved without affecting the color of the complex by the addition of tartrate and adjusting the pH of the solution to 3.0. The lower limit of detection is about 5 p.p.m. of silicon.     

Complexometric determination of thorium using p-nitrobenzene-azo-chromotropic acid (chromotrope 2-B) as indicator

Summary p-Nitrobenzene-azochromotropic acid (chromotrope 2 B) has been found useful as metal indicator in the titration of thorium ions against ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Titrations are best carried out with concentrations of thorium upto 0.001 M, within the p_H range 1.5 and 2.9. Temperature has no effect on the end point. Many of the common ions interfere in the titration excepting lithium, sodium, potassium, gold, alkaline earths, zinc, mercury, aluminium, lead, nickel, and acetate. Iron(III) if present may be masked by the addition of ascorbic acid.

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Zusammenfassung p-Nitrobenzol-azochromotropsäure (Chromotrope 2 B) wird als Metallindicator bei der komplexometrischen Titration von Thorium verwendet. Die besten Ergebnisse erhält man bei Konzentrationen bis 0,001 m im p_H-Bereich von 1,5–2,9. Die Temperatur hat keinen Einfluß auf die Erkennung des Endpunkts. Lithium, Natrium, Kalium, Gold, Erdalkalien, Zink, Quecksilber, Aluminium, Blei, Nickel und Acetat stören nicht, während viele andere Ionen Störungen verursachen. Eisen(III) kann mit Ascorbinsäure maskiert werden.

     

Determination of zirconium,thorium and scandium with 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone

Zirconium is quantitatively precipitated by 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone and is separated from scandium in 1 N hydrochloric acid solution. Thorium is separated at pH 0.5 from uranium(VI), cerium(IV), lanthanum, yttrium and scandium. Scandium is quantitatively precipitated by this reagent in the pH range 1.4–2.0 and at pH 1.5 equivalent amounts of lanthanum do not interfere; small amounts of yttrium cause interference.     

Component activities in the system thorium nitrate-nitric acid-water at 25°C

The equilibrium composition of the vapor above thorium nitrate-nitric acid-water mixtures has been studied as a function of the concentrations of thorium nitrate and nitric acid using a transpiration technique. At 25°C, the thorium nitrate concentrations m _T ranged from 0.1 to 2.5 molal and the nitric acid concentrations m _N from 0.3 to 25 modal. The vapor pressure of the nitric acid was found to increase with increasing thorium nitrate concentration for a constant molality of nitric acid in aqueous solution. At constant m _T , the nitric acid vapor pressure was particularly enhanced at low nitric acid concentrations. The water vapor pressures decreased regularly with increasing concentrations of both nitric acid and thorium nitrate. The experimental data were fitted to Scatchard's ion-component model, and to empirical multiparameter functions. From the fitting parameters, and available literature data for the nitric acid-water and thorium nitrate-water systems at 25°C, expressions were calculated for the variation of water and thorium nitrate activities, as functions of the nitric acid and thorium nitrate concentrations, using the Gibbs-Duhem equation. Calculated values for the thorium nitrate activities were strongly dependent on the form of the function originally used to fit the vapor pressure data.Issued as AECL-7461.