Sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate
[CAS# 25306-75-6]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Organic sulfur compound
• Name: Sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate
• Synonyms: Carbonodithioic acid O-(2-methylpropyl) ester sodium salt
• Molecular Formula: C₅H₉NaOS₂
• Molecular Weight: 172.23
• CAS Registry Number: 25306-75-6
• EC Number: 246-805-2
• SMILES: CC(C)COC(=S)[S-].[Na+]

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS02;GHS07;GHS09 Danger
• Risk Statements: H228-H242-H251-H260-H302-H312-H315-H317-H319-H332-H335-H400-H411
• Safety Statements: P210-P223-P231+P232-P234-P235-P240-P241-P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P273-P280-P301+P317-P302+P335+P334-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P317-P319-P321-P330-P332+P317-P333+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P370+P378-P391-P402+P404-P403-P403+P233-P405-P407-P410-P411-P413-P420-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Self-reactive substances or mixtures	Self-react.	E	H242
Organic peroxides	Org. Perox.	E	H242
Substances or mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases	Water-react.	1	H260
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Flammable solids	Flam. Sol.	1	H228
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1B	H317
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Self-heating substances or mixtures	Self-heat.	1	H251
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Flammable solids	Flam. Sol.	2	H228
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	2	H361d
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	2	H373
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1	H314
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318

Discovery and Applications

Sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate is an organosulfur compound widely used in the mining industry as a flotation agent for the separation of metal sulfide ores. It is a member of the xanthate family, known for their role as collectors in froth flotation processes. The compound is commonly utilized in the beneficiation of minerals such as copper, lead, and gold, where it enhances the hydrophobicity of target sulfide minerals, allowing them to be separated from non-valuable materials.

The use of xanthates in mineral processing was established in the early 20th century, when researchers recognized their ability to selectively bind to sulfide minerals, making flotation an efficient method for ore separation. Sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate was developed as a specialized xanthate with improved selectivity and stability, making it suitable for use in various flotation circuits.

In flotation applications, the compound interacts with metal sulfide surfaces to form hydrophobic layers, enabling the attachment of air bubbles and facilitating the separation of valuable minerals from the ore slurry. It is particularly effective in the flotation of copper and gold-bearing ores, where selective recovery of these metals is essential for economic extraction.

Beyond its role in mining, sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate has been studied for its chemical properties and interactions with metal ions. Its reactivity and selectivity depend on factors such as pH, temperature, and the presence of other flotation reagents. Proper dosage control is necessary to optimize recovery rates while minimizing reagent consumption and potential environmental impact.

Environmental considerations are important in the use of xanthates, including sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate. While they degrade over time in the presence of air and water, their breakdown products can have ecological effects if not properly managed. As a result, regulations often require careful handling, storage, and disposal to prevent contamination of water sources.

In industrial practice, safety measures are implemented to minimize exposure risks. Sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate should be handled with protective equipment to avoid skin and eye contact, as it may cause irritation. Storage conditions should prevent moisture exposure to maintain its effectiveness.

The development of flotation reagents, including sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate, has significantly improved the efficiency of metal extraction from complex ores. Its established role in mineral processing continues to contribute to the economic viability of metal recovery operations while adhering to environmental and safety regulations.

References

2024. Performance and mechanism of NiO/La-KTaO3 composite photocatalysts for UV degradation of isoamyl xanthate in synthetic flotation wastewater. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21(17).
DOI: 10.1007/s13762-024-06180-9

2024. Impact of ethanol on the flotation efficiency of imidazolium ionic liquids as collectors: Insights from dynamic surface tension and solvation analysis. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 31(11).
DOI: 10.1007/s12613-024-2835-6

2024. Investigating the Selectivity of Xanthates for the Flotation Separation of Base Metal and PGM Ores. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-50236-1_22