Potassium amyl xanthate

Potassium amyl xanthate (/pəˈtæsiəm ˌæmɪl ˈzænθeɪt/) is an organosulfur compound with the chemical formula CH₃(CH₂)₄OCS₂K. It is a pale yellow powder with a pungent odor that is soluble in water. It is widely used in the mining industry for the separation of ores using the flotation process.

Potassium amyl xanthate

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Potassium O-pentyl carbonodithioate
Other names potassium pentylxanthogenate potassium-O-pentyl dithiocarbonate
Identifiers
CAS Number	2720-73-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEMBL	ChEMBL2380741
ChemSpider	16668 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.018.481
EC Number	220-329-5
PubChem CID	493949
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2062610
InChI InChI=1S/C6H12OS2.K/c1-2-3-4-5-7-6(8)9;/h2-5H2,1H3,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1 Y Key: YIBBMDDEXKBIAM-UHFFFAOYSA-M Y InChI=1S/C6H12OS2.K/c1-2-3-4-5-7-6(8)9;/h2-5H2,1H3,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1
SMILES CCCCCOC(=S)[S-].[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H11KOS2
Molar mass	202.37 g·mol−1
Appearance	Pale yellow or yellow powder
Density	1.073 g/cm3
Solubility in water	Soluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H228, H302, H312, H315, H319, H335, H411
Precautionary statements	P210, P240, P241, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P322, P330, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P363, P370+P378, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Production and properties

As typical for xanthates, potassium amyl xanthate is prepared by reacting n-amyl alcohol with carbon disulfide and potassium hydroxide.^[1]

CH₃(CH₂)₄OH + CS₂ + KOH → CH₃(CH₂)₄OCS₂K + H₂O

Potassium amyl xanthate is a pale yellow powder. Its solutions are relatively stable between pH 8 and 13 with a maximum of stability at pH 10.^[2]

Related compounds

• Sodium amyl xanthate is used in the separation of nickel and copper from their ores.^[3]

Safety

The LD₅₀ is 90-148 mg/kg (oral, rat). ^[4]

It is a biodegradable compound.