Ditiocarb: Decomposition in aqueous solution and effect of the volatile product on its pharmacological use

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jps.2600820409

The kinetic profile for the decomposition of ditiocarb sodium salt in aqueous solution was achieved with UV-visible absorption spectrometry. The kinetic profile indicates that the decomposition reaction is hydrogen ion- catalyzed over the entire 4-10 pH range and enables the determination of the value of the acid-base equilibrium constant (K(a) = 4.0 · 10^-4 at 5 °C). Decomposition of ditiocarb produces volatile carbon disulfide, exclusive of hydrogen sulfide, as shown with electrochemical methods. This feature is of interest from a toxicological point of view.