Michael H. Jones, J. T. Woodcock
1987
Citations
0
Influential Citations
6
Citations
Journal
Analytica Chimica Acta
Abstract
Abstract The preparation of alkyl xanthic anhydrides ((ROCS) 2 S; dialkyl esters of thiodicarbonic acid) which are useful in flotation and in insecticide and rubber manufacture, is described. The ethyl and isopropyl homologues are crystalline solids and are readily purified. The isobutyl, sec-butyl, and n-amyl homologues, which are liquid, were found by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and u.v. spectrometry to be grossly contaminated with the corresponding dixanthogen. Ethyl xanthic anhydride can be quantitatively extracted by iso-octane or chloroform from aqueous solution. Molar absorptivities and analytical wavelengths for ethyl and isopropyl xanthic anhydrides in iso-octane and chloroform are reported. In alkaline solution, ethyl xanthic anhydride rapidly decomposes to xanthate (ROCSS - ) and monothiocarbonate (ROCSO - ); decomposition is faster at higher pH levels. In acidic solution, this compound is much more stable.