Identification and determination of alkyl xanthate mixtures

Abstract

A procedure for the identification and determination of alkyl xanthate mixtures based on high-performance liquid chromatography is described. The procedure is based on the oxidation of alkyl xanthates to dialkyldixanthogens. The relative retention times of the dialkyldixanthogens are given. The response of the dialkyldixanthogens is approximately proportional to the product of the concentrations of the alkyl xanthates from which they are formed. The alkyl xanthates that were studied were the ethyl, 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 2-methyl-1-propyl, 1-butyl, 2-butyl and 1-pentyl xanthates. Oncolumn derivatisation, i.e., oxidation, was found to occur under the appropriate conditions and its characteristics are discussed.