Diethyl dixanthogen disulfide explained

Diethyl dixanthogen disulfide is the organosulfur compound with the formula . It is one of the most common dixanthogen disulfides, compounds of the type (R = alkyl). A yellow solid, It is obtained by oxidation of sodium ethylxanthate or potassium ethylxanthate.^{[1] [2]}

According to X-ray crystallography, the two groups in solid diethyl dixanthogen disulfide are planar and are linked by a disulfide bond. The C-S-S-C dihedral angle is near 90°, as is common for acyclic disulfides.

Occurrence and reactions

Diethylxanthogen reacts with aqueous base to regenerate the xanthate, at least partially.^[3]

Diethylxanthogen arises by oxidation of xanthates during froth flotation. Diethylxanthogens are thought to participate in the flotation of certain sulfide minerals.^[4]

References

1. 10.1016/j.tetlet.2006.04.031. Facile Preparation of Bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfides via Elimination . 2006 . Weber . Wolfgang G. . McLeary . James B. . Sanderson . Ron D. . Tetrahedron Letters . 47 . 27 . 4771–4774 .
2. 10.1021/jo00360a039. Novel Symmetrical and Mixed Carbamoyl and Aminopolysulfanes by Reactions of (Alkoxydichloromethyl)polysulfanyl Substrates with N-Methylaniline . 1986 . Schroll . Alayne L. . Barany . George . The Journal of Organic Chemistry . 51 . 10 . 1866–1881 .
3. 10.1016/0301-7516(83)90030-3. Decomposition of Alkyl Dixanthogens in Aqueous Solutions . 1983 . Jones . M.H. . Woodcock . J.T. . International Journal of Mineral Processing . 10 . 1–24 .
4. 10.1016/0301-7516(90)90018-T. FTIR and Flotation Investigation of the Adsorption of Ethyl Xanthate on Activated and Non-Activated Sulfide Minerals . 1990 . Leppinen . J.O. . International Journal of Mineral Processing . 30 . 3–4 . 245–263 .