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thorium nitrate
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thorium nitrate

chemical compound
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Quick Summary

Thorium nitrate is an oxidizing salt with the chemical formula Th(NO3)4. It is typically obtained as a deliquescent crystalline mass through a multi-step extraction process from monazite sand.1

This compound is primarily used in the production of thorium oxide (thoria) by ignition. Thorium oxide is a refractory crystalline compound used in incandescent gas mantles, crucibles, refractories, silica-free optical glass, and catalysts.12

Thorium itself is a dense, silvery metal discovered in 1828. While it has limited use today, it was once in high demand for incandescent gas mantles. Thorium processing involves extracting it from minerals like monazite, which is a rare earth phosphate. The extraction process can involve acidic or alkaline digestion, followed by solvent extraction to purify the thorium nitrate.3

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. thorium nitrate
  2. thorium processing
  3. thorium oxide

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