Dixanthogen disulfide explained

thumb|right|Structure of diethyl dixanthogen disulfide.Dixanthogen disulfides are a class of organosulfur compounds with the formula . Usually yellow solids, they are the product of the oxidation of xanthate salts.^[1] A common derivative is diethyl dixanthogen disulfide. Diisopropyl dixanthogen disulfide is commercially available. They are structurally related to thiuram disulfides.

Uses and reactions

Diethyl dixanthogen disulfide is a component for froth flotations used, inter alia, for the separation of sulfide minerals like pyrrhotite. Diisopropyl dixanthogen disulfide is a reagent in the synthesis of sulfur heterocycles.^[2]

Dialkoxy dixanthogen disulfides undergo desulfurization by cyanide to give bis(alkoxythiocarbonyl)sulfides:^[3]

Dixanthogens are also ectoparasiticides.

Notes and References

1. 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 .
2. 10.3987/COM-98-8230. Free Radical Reaction of Diisopropyl Xanthogen Disulfide with Unsaturated Systems . 1998 . Gareau . Yves . Beauchemin . André . Heterocycles . 48 . 10 . 2003 . 2024-02-17 . free .
3. 10.1016/j.molstruc.2009.04.033. Spectroscopic and structural studies of bis[isopropoxy(thiocarbonyl)]sulfide, [(CH₃)₂CHOC(S)]2S . 2009 . Tobón . Yeny A. . Castellano . Eduardo E. . Piro . Oscar E. . Della Védova . Carlos O. . Romano . Rosana M. . Journal of Molecular Structure . 930 . 1–3 . 43–48 . 2009JMoSt.930...43T .