Synergistic effect of heterocyclic bidentate amines on the extraction of thorium(IV) with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone

The synergistic effect on the extraction of thorium(IV) was found by the combination of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (Htta) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dpp) as a neutral bidentate ligand. Especially in the presence of dpp (1·10−3M) in benzene, the distribution ratio of thorium(IV) increased by a factor of about 300. Such synergistic enhancement of the extraction was ascribed to the formation of the adduct complex of Th(tta)4(phen) and Th(tta)4(dpp) in the organic phase. The extraction constant and the adduct formation constant were determined and discussed.