Sodium dithiophosphate

Sodium dithiophosphate is the salt with the formula Na3PS2O2. It is usually supplied as the hydrated solid or as an aqueous solution together with other thiophosphates such as sodium monothiophosphate and sodium trithiophosphate. It is a colorless compound, but commercial samples can appear dark owing to the presence of impurities. It is used to facilitate the isolation of molybdenum from its ores.

Sodium dithiophosphate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
Properties
Na3PS2O2
Molar mass 196.072 g mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Preparation

The compound has been prepared in a multistep process starting with the base hydrolysis of phosphorus pentasulfide:[1]

P2S5 + 6 NaOH → 2 Na3PO2S2 + H2S + 2 H2O

The salt is isolated as the hydrate Na3PO2S2.(H2O)11. It is prone to hydrolysis, especially when it is heated as an aqueous solutions:

Na3PO2S2 + 2 H2O → Na3PO3S + H2S

Its structure has been examined by X-ray crystallography.[2]

Applications

This salt is used as a flotation agent in molybdenite mineral concentration from ores, where it is usually known as "Nokes reagent." The salt is generated by the reaction of phosphorus pentasulfide with sodium hydroxide, often using impure reagents to obtain a mixture of the desired salt and related thiophosphates and oxidized species. Molybdenite particles, which are normally hydrophobic, become hydrophilic in the presence of this salt. In this context, the Nokes reagent is called a "depressant," since it suppresses the flotation tendency of the solids.[3]

See also

References
  1. R. Klement "Phosphorus" in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. Edited by G. Brauer, Academic Press, 1963, NY. Vol. 1. p. 571-2.
  2. Elias, D. P. (1957). "Crystallographic Data on Some Sodium Phosphorothioates". Acta Crystallographica. 10 (9): 600. doi:10.1107/S0365110X57002108.
  3. Baki Yarar, "Flotation" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Wienheim, 2005.


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