Solvent extraction of Thorium(IV) from chloride acidic solution using Schiff base

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Egypt

2 Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt)

3 (Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt)

4 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Egypt)

Abstract

Thorium(IV) is extracted from chloride medium  by solvent extraction using a prepared Schiff base chelating agent, (E)-4-(2-hydroxy phenyl imino) pentane-2-one (AcPh) that is synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. The obtained optimum extraction parameters were 0.02M AcPh/chloroform and diethyl ether ratio mixture, pH 6.5, 3:1 aqueous to organic phase ratio for 5 min. contact time at room temperature. The thorium(IV) was then stripped into aqueous media containing 0.5 M HNO3 solution using of  1:2 aqueous to organic phase ratio for 7 min. contact time at room temperature.