Dimethyl dithiophosphoric acid explained

Dimethyl dithiophosphoric acid is the organophosphorus compound with the formula (CH₃O)₂PS₂H. It is the processor for production of the organothiophosphate insecticide Malathion. Although samples can appear dark, the compound is a colorless, distillable liquid.^[1]

It is prepared by treating phosphorus pentasulfide with methanol:^[2]

P₂S₅ + 4 CH₃OH → 2 (CH₃O)₂PS₂H + H₂S

See also

• Ammonium diethyl dithiophosphate
• Diethyl dithiophosphoric acid
• Zinc dithiophosphate

Notes and References

1. J. Svara, N. Weferling, T. Hofmann "Phosphorus Compounds, Organic" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2006.
2. Lefferts, J. L.; Molloy, K. C.; Zuckerman, J. J.; Haiduc, I.; Guta, C.; Ruse, D., "Oxy and thio phosphorus acid derivatives of tin. 1. Triorganotin(IV) dithiophosphate esters", Inorganic Chemistry 1980, volume 19, 1662-1670.