Separation of thorium as ascorbato complex by extraction with Aliquat 336S

Thorium was quantitatively extracted with 0.1M Aliquat 336S at pH 4.5 from 0.01M ascorbic acid. It was then stripped with 2M hydrochloric acid. Thorium arsenazo III complex was determined spectrophotometrically at 655 nm. It was separated from binary and tertiary mixtures by exploiting the difference in distribution ratios of various elements from ascorbic acid media. Some separations were accomplished by selective stripping of thorium from nitric and hydrochloric acid. The method was extended for the analysis of thorium in monazite and gas mantles.