Sulfosuccinates are derived from carboxylates and succinic acids and are usually in the
form of sodium salts. The most typical succinates used in flotation are tetra-sodium N-
(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-octodecyl-sulfosuccinate. Arbiter and Hin first patented these
collectors in 1967.The apparent differences between succinates used as surfactants and
sulfosuccinates and sulfosuccinamates used as collectors is the sulfonation of the succinamate
portion of the molecule.
These collectors have found wide commercial use for flotation of cassiterite. Moreover,
these collectors have also found application for flotation of heavy mineral sand and monazite
when mixed with fatty acid.
