chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies the chemical elements that make up matter and chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules a ...

, a thioxanthate is an

organosulfur compound Organosulfur chemistry is the study of the properties and synthesis of organosulfur compounds, which are organic compounds that contain sulfur. They are often associated with foul odors, but many of the sweetest compounds known are organosulfur der ...

with the formula RSCS₂X. When X is an alkali metal, the thioxanthate is a salt. When X is a transition metal, the thioxanthate is a

ligand In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule with a functional group that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's el ...

, and when X is an organic group, the compounds are called thioxanthate esters. They are usually yellow colored compounds that often dissolve in organic solvents. They are used as precursors to some catalysts, froth flotation agents, and additives for lubricants.

Preparation and reactions

The alkali metal thioxanthates are produced by treating a thiol with a base in the presence of

carbon disulfide Carbon disulfide (also spelled as carbon disulphide) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula and structure . It is also considered as the anhydride of thiocarbonic acid. It is a colorless, flammable, neurotoxic liquid that is used as ...

, as illustrated by the preparation of sodium ethyl thioxanthate:.Haiduc, I. "1,1-Dithiolato Ligands" in Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II Edited by McCleverty, J. A.; Meyer, T. J 2004, volume 1, pp. 349-376. :EtSH + NaOH + CS₂ → EtSCSNa⁺ + H₂O Sodium ethyl thioxanthate is similar structurally to

sodium ethyl xanthate Sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX) is an organosulfur compound with the chemical formula . It is a pale yellow powder, which is usually obtained as the dihydrate. Sodium ethyl xanthate is used in the mining industry as a Froth flotation, flotation agent. ...

Alkylation Alkylation is a chemical reaction that entails transfer of an alkyl group. The alkyl group may be transferred as an alkyl carbocation, a free radical, a carbanion, or a carbene (or their equivalents). Alkylating agents are reagents for effecting al ...

of such thioxanthate anions gives thioxanthate esters, as illustrated by the preparation of ethyl methyl thioxanthate: :EtSCSNa⁺ + MeI → EtSCS₂Me + NaI Thioxanthate esters are also called esters of

trithiocarbonate Thiocarbonate describes a family of anions with the general chemical formula (''x'' = 0, 1, or 2): *for ''x'' = 2 it is monothiocarbonate ion *for ''x'' = 1 it is dithiocarbonate ion *for ''x'' = 0 it is trithiocarbonate ion Like the carbonate d ...

References

{{Functional group Salts Thiocarbonyl compounds

Preparation and reactions

See also

References