The metal complex stability constants of Th(TV) with desferrioxamine B (DFO) and three octadentate derivatives [N-(2,3-dihydroxy-4-carboxybenzoyl)desferrioxamine B (DFOCAMC), N-(1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-oxopyridin-6-yl)carbonyl)desferrioxamine B (DFO-1,2-HOPO) and N-(2,3-dihydroxy-4-(methylamido)benzoyl)desferrioxamine B (DFOMTA)] have been determined. The formation constant of the Pu(IV)/DFOMTA complex has also been determined, and the formation constants have been estimated for the other Pu(IV) complexes of octadentate DFO derivatives. The DFO derivatives form 1:1 complexes with Th(IV) in aqueous solution. The solution chemistry of the Th(IV) complexes has been studied by spectrophotometric, potentiometric and proton NMR titrations. The Th(IV) formation constants are as follows (log K-f values and esd’s) : DFO, 26.6(1); DFOMTA, 38.55(5); DFOCAMC, 37.2(3); DFO-1,2-HOPO, 33.7(4). The Pu(IV)/DFOMTA formation constant, determined by competitive spectrophotometric titration is (log K-f value) 41.7(2). The estimation of the other Pu(IV) formation constants are as follows (log K-f values) : DFOCAMC, 40.4; DFO-1,2-HOPO, 36.9. The selectivity of DFO and the three derivatives for actinide(IV) ions is discussed.