chemistry Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...

, a thioxanthate is an

organosulfur compound Organosulfur compounds are organic compounds that contain sulfur. They are often associated with foul odors, but many of the sweetest compounds known are organosulfur derivatives, e.g., saccharin. Nature abounds with organosulfur compounds—sulfu ...

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 (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 electr ...

, 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 Froth flotation is a process for selectively separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic. This is used in mineral processing, paper recycling and waste-water treatment industries. Historically this was first used in the mining industry, wher ...

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, 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 flotation agent. A closely rel ...

Alkylation Alkylation is the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another. 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 ...

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