Potassium Amyl Xanthate, Potassium Pentyl Xanthate, Potassium Amyl Dithiocarbonate, Potassium Amyl Xanthogenate, Potassium Pentyl Dithiocarbonate, PAX, 140-93-2

Potassium Amyl Xanthate, Potassium Pentyl Xanthate, Potassium Amyl Dithiocarbonate, Potassium Amyl Xanthogenate, Potassium Pentyl Dithiocarbonate, PAX, 140-93-2

Chemical Identity

• Name: Potassium Amyl Xanthate

• CAS No: 140-93-2

• Formula: C₅H₁₁OCSSK

• Appearance: Yellowish powder, granules, or liquid formulations, pungent odor

• Other Names: Potassium pentyl xanthate, Potassium amyl dithiocarbonate, Potassium amyl xanthogenate

Mechanism of Action in Flotation

• PAX is a strong collector reagent used in mineral flotation.

• It adsorbs onto sulfide mineral surfaces, making them hydrophobic.

• Hydrophobic particles attach to air bubbles and float, separating from gangue.

• With its longer amyl chain, PAX provides greater collecting strength compared to shorter-chain xanthates (SEX, KEX, SIPX, SIBX).

• It is less selective but highly effective for difficult ores.

Applications

• Gold ores → flotation of gold-bearing sulfides

• Copper ores → chalcopyrite and other copper sulfides

• Nickel ores → pentlandite and other nickel sulfides

• Pyrite → often used when pyrite recovery is desired

• Refractory ores → strong collector for challenging flotation conditions

Advantages

• Very strong collector → effective for refractory and complex ores

• Versatile → widely used in gold, copper, nickel, and pyrite flotation

• Most common xanthate globally → preferred in many mining operations

Limitations

• Lower selectivity → may recover unwanted minerals along with target ores

• Environmental risk → decomposition can release carbon disulfide (CS₂), toxic

• Hazardous substance → requires strict handling and storage protocols

Xanthate – Sectoral Suitability Table