Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

Additional information

Solid sodium isobutyl xanthate is hygroscopic, absorbing moisture leading to decompositon and releasing carbon disulfide. Decomposition rate increases with increase in temperature and decrease pH.


This instability is under acidic and alkaline conditions 


 


Decomposition of xanthates depends on temperature and NaOH concentration in water:


-dx/dt = k1x + k2x [NaOH]2


At 650C for: sodium ethyl xanthate(CAS# 140-90-9): k1 = 9.7 10-4min-1and k2 = 3.3 10-4


                sodium isopropyl xanthate(CAS# 140-93-2): k1 = 2.0 10-4min-1and k2 = 6.1 10-5


                sodium n-butyl xanthate(CAS# 141-33-3): k1 = 6.4 10-4min-1and k2 = 2.4 10-5


At 750C for: sodium ethyl xanthate(CAS# 140-90-9): k1 = 2.1 10-3min-1and k2 = 6.3 10-4


              sodium isopropyl xanthate(CAS# 140-93-2): k1 = 4.2 10-4min-1and k2 = 1.2 10-4


              sodium n-butyl xanthate(CAS# 141-33-3): k1 = 1.4 10-3min-1and k2 = 4.6 10-4


It was found that the minimum of xanthates decomposition rate is at pH range from 7 to 9.


 


 


Investigation of potassium ethyl xanthate(CAS# 140-89-6)water solution at pH 6-10 showed coexistence of xanthate ions, EtX-, dixanthogen , (EtX)2and carbon disulfide(CAS# 75-15-0).


Simultaneous reactions leading to decomposition of xanthate/or dixanthate species to alcohol and carbon disulfide were detected.


 


Decomposition of sodium ethyl xanthate as 40% solution at 200C would give rise to an increase in CS2concentration of approximately 0.1% per day.


 


Reactivity: Xantates react with oxidizing agents, acids and alkaline solutions. With strog acids the substance decomposes quantitatively producing carbon disulfide and an alcohol. In strong alkali solutions, at pH >13, react forming carbon disulfide, hydrogen, an alcohol, trithiocarbonate and sodium carbonate. Salts of copper, iron, lead or zinc accelerate decomposition of xanthates.


Reaction with strong oxidizing agents as peroxides, nitrates and perchlorates causing risk of fire and explosion.


 


Solid xanthates decompose exposed to moisture in air, releasing carbon disulfide.


Hydrolysis is a significant factor in determination the environmental fate of xanthates.


 


In neutral or mildly alkaline water solution, sodium ethyl xanthate decomposes to ethyl alcohol, carbon disulfide, sodium carbonate and sodium trihiocarbonate. (Full Public Report Sodium Ethyl Xanthate Priority Existing Chemical No. 5 May 1995Australian Government Publishing Service Canberra)


 


Water solutions are also relatively stable at temperature <180C and the pH within the range 10 - 11.(NICNAS. Sodium Ethyl Xanthate. Priority Existing Chemical, Secondary Assessment , Report No. 5S. February 2000)