Complexes Formed by Quaternary Ammonium Salts with Xanthates, and Synergistic Effects in Adsorption of Xanthate Ions on Reduced Copper Powders

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Abstract
Precipitates formed in equimolar solutions of long chain xanthates and alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromides (C n TAB) have been analyzed by chemical, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopic methods and were found to consist of a 1:1 complex of long-chain anions and cations. It is inferred that analogous ion-pair complexes, but in a solubilized form, exist in mixed solutions of shorter chain compounds, e.g., potassium ethyl xanthate (KEtX) and C12TAB. Tests showed that a reduced copper surface adsorbs xanthate ions from such mixed solutions under anaerobic conditions when no adsorption of uncomplexed xanthate ion is possible. In the temperature range 4 to 20°C, an Arrhenius activation energy of 22.6 kcal/mole was evaluated for adsorption from equimolar solutions KEtX and C12TAB. Characteristic changes in the behavior of xanthate due to its complexing with C n TAB may have important applications in separation of solids by flotation, particularly under oxygen-deficient or reducing conditions, i.e., when normally flotation with xanthate ions is impossible, owing to their inability to adsorb under anaerobic condition.