Alkyl and aryl dithiophosphoric acids and their alkali salts are widely used as sulfide collectors
known as Aerofloat. In general, the phosphorus compounds used as flotation reagents represent a small number
of known organic phosphorus compounds.
Dialkyl dithiophosphoric acids are produced from the reaction of phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) with an alcohol in an inert medium. The reaction by-products include dialkyl sulfide, trialkyl dithiophates and sulfur. The acids are unstable and are converted into alkali metal salts for use as a collector.Like xanthates, dithiophosphates are used exclusively as collectors in flotation of sulfide
ore as a secondary collector with xanthates or alone.
