A new inorganic ion exchanger thorium. iodate was synthesized and characterized by studying the properties like ion exchange capacity, pH titration curves, distribution coefficients for various metal ions, effect of hydrated ionic radii, temperature, electrolyte concentration, etc. on the ion exchange capacity. The empirical formula proposed for the ion exchanger is ThO2.I2O5.nH(2)O. Important binary as well as ternary separations were carried out. The synthetic utility of the exchanger is revealed from the separation studies. The separation performed on the ion exchanger column is very important for the environmentalists, since the mixtures analysed are Cu2+-Pb2+, Ni2+-Pb2+, Cd2+-Pb2+ and Hg2+-Pb2+.