The complexation of Th(IV) with desmethyl-desferrithiocin (H2DMDFT), a deri
vative of the siderophore desferrithiocin (H2DFT), was studied by potentiom
etry, spec trophotometry and NMR. Three protonation constants of the ligand
were determined by potentiometric titrations and H-1-NMR and assigned to t
he phenolate group, the nitrogen at the hydroxypyridine ring, and the carbo
xylate group. The formation constant of the 1:2 complex, Th(DMDFT)(2), was
determined by absorption spectrophotometry with oxalate as a competing liga
nd. A tridentate complex with Th(IV) involving the phenolate oxygen, the th
iazoline nitrogen and the carboxylate group of H2DMDFT was proposed.