PROCESS FOR MAKING HIGH PURITY XANTHATES

摘要

The subject invention provides a method for the efficient production of high purity xanthates. The method comprises (a) mixing aluminium with an alkali metal salt; (b) heating said mixture until an exothermic reaction is achieved, whereby an aluminium salt and alkali metal are produced; (c) reacting said alkali metal with an alcohol or alcohol mixture, producing an alkali metal alcoholate dissolved in an anhydrous organic carrier; and (d) reacting said alkali metal alcoholate dissolved in said anhydrous organic carrier with carbon disulphide. In further embodiments the subject invention provides low cost methods for producing alkali metals and alkali metal alcoholates.