Sodium ethylxanthogenate
[CAS# 140-90-9]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Organic sulfur compound
• Name: Sodium ethylxanthogenate
• Synonyms: Sodium O-ethyl dithiocarbonate; Carbonodithioic acid O-ethyl ester sodium salt
• Molecular Formula: C₃H₅NaOS₂
• Molecular Weight: 144.18
• CAS Registry Number: 140-90-9
• EC Number: 205-440-9
• SMILES: CCOC(=S)[S-].[Na+]

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS02;GHS05;GHS07;GHS08;GHS09 Danger
• Risk Statements: H228-H302-H314-H315-H317-H318-H319-H335-H361d-H373-H400-H412
• Safety Statements: P203-P210-P240-P241-P260-P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P273-P280-P301+P317-P301+P330+P331-P302+P352-P302+P361+P354-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P305+P354+P338-P316-P317-P318-P319-P321-P330-P332+P317-P333+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P363-P370+P378-P391-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Flammable solids	Flam. Sol.	2	H228
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	2	H373
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1	H314
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	2	H361d
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412
Flammable solids	Flam. Sol.	1	H228
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	1	H372
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H311
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1C	H314
Self-heating substances or mixtures	Self-heat.	1	H251
Substances or mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases	Water-react.	3	H261

Discovery and Applications

Sodium ethylxanthogenate is an organic compound and a member of the xanthogenate family, which consists of a range of esters of xanthogenic acid. It is typically used as a chemical reagent and has applications in various industrial processes, particularly in the field of flotation chemistry. This compound is also known by its IUPAC name, sodium ethyl xanthate, and it appears as a yellowish powder or granules when in solid form, soluble in water, and can be easily converted into its corresponding salts with various cations.

The discovery of sodium ethylxanthogenate dates back to the early 20th century, in connection with the broader research into the chemistry of xanthates. The development of xanthates as chemical reagents is attributed to a need for more efficient methods of separating valuable minerals, particularly in the mining industry. Xanthates, including sodium ethylxanthogenate, became widely used as collectors in the flotation process, which is a key technique in ore beneficiation and mineral extraction. The chemical structure of sodium ethylxanthogenate consists of an ethyl group attached to a xanthate anion, which itself is derived from xanthic acid, a sulfur-containing compound.

Sodium ethylxanthogenate plays a crucial role in the flotation process, specifically in the mining industry. It is commonly used in the extraction of various metals, including gold, copper, lead, and zinc. In flotation, sodium ethylxanthogenate acts as a collector, which means it binds to the surface of specific mineral particles, making them hydrophobic. This property enables the selective attachment of these particles to air bubbles in the flotation cell, allowing them to float to the surface and be separated from the rest of the ore. The use of sodium ethylxanthogenate in this context improves the efficiency of mineral separation, thereby enhancing the yield of valuable metals from ores.

Beyond its application in flotation, sodium ethylxanthogenate has also been used in the rubber industry. It acts as a vulcanizing agent, helping to improve the properties of rubber during processing. By forming a complex with sulfur, it facilitates the crosslinking process, which is essential for producing rubber with enhanced elasticity, durability, and strength. This application, while not as widespread as in flotation chemistry, contributes to the versatility of sodium ethylxanthogenate as a chemical reagent.

The compound is also explored in the field of organic synthesis, where it is used in various reactions involving nucleophilic substitution or in the preparation of other xanthate derivatives. It is known to react with a wide range of electrophiles, leading to the formation of products that may have applications in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, or other fine chemical industries. In these contexts, sodium ethylxanthogenate is used to introduce sulfur and oxygen functionalities into organic molecules, which can be critical in the development of certain chemical products.

Safety considerations are important when working with sodium ethylxanthogenate, as it is a highly reactive chemical. It is known to release toxic and flammable gases, such as carbon disulfide, when exposed to heat or certain conditions, making proper handling and storage essential. In the mining and flotation industries, proper ventilation and safety protocols are necessary to prevent exposure to hazardous substances.

In summary, sodium ethylxanthogenate is a chemical substance with significant applications in the mining and flotation industries, particularly as a collector in mineral separation processes. It is also used as a vulcanizing agent in rubber production and has various applications in organic synthesis. Its utility in industrial chemistry, particularly in metal extraction, underscores its importance in various sectors.

References

2024. Environmental footprint of gold production: a focus on sulfide mineral processing. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 26(9).
DOI: 10.1007/s10098-024-02971-3

2024. Optimizing the preparation of xanthate-modified polyvinyl alcohol adsorbent and its adsorption to Cu (II). Journal of Polymer Research, 31(1).
DOI: 10.1007/s10965-023-03849-6

2023. In situ generated CdS on mixed cellulose membrane matrix as an easily recyclable photocatalyst for mineral flotation wastewater treatment. Cellulose, 31(2).
DOI: 10.1007/s10570-023-05672-0