Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is a white or colorless crystalline powder, easily soluble in water and alkaline, soluble in alcohol, rapidly decomposed in acidic aqueous solution to separate out carbon disulfide and make the solution cloudy. In ammonia medium, it generates precipitate or brown colloidal solution with copper ion. Copper reagent is applied in the color development reaction of copper, used as precipitant and solvent extractant of soft metal ions, also used as photometric reagent for the determination of bismuth, copper, nickel and other metals.
Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is an organic molecular entity. It is an inhibitor of superoxide dismutase, having both antioxidant and oxidant effects.
Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate reacts with even more metal ions than does dithizone. However, its analytical application is seriously limited by its considerably lower stability in acidic aqueous media. According to the examinations of Bode,the reagent undergoes considerable decomposition within 5 minutes at pH 5. The analytical application of the reagent is therefore restricted to a very narrow pH range. There is no chance with this reagent to enhance the analytical selectivity of extractions by making use of the difference between the stabilities of its complexes with various metal ions and to choose the pH of the reaction mixture accordingly.
This salt is obtained by treating carbon disulfide with diethylamine in the presence of sodium hydroxide:
CS2+ HN(C2H5)2+ NaOH → NaS2CN(C2H5)2+ H2O
ChEBI: Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is an organic molecular entity.
Odorless white or slightly brown or slightly pink crystals.
Water soluble. Thio and dithiocarbamates slowly decompose in aqueous solution to form carbon disulfide and methylamine or other amines. Such decompositions are accelerated by acids.
Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is not compatible with strong oxidizing agents. Aqueous solutions slowly decompose to form carbon disulfide and an amine. Such decompositions are accelerated by acids. Addition of acid to the aqueous solution produces a white turbidity .
Flash point data for Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate are not available; however, Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is probably combustible.
Flammability and Explosibility
Non flammable
Moderately toxic by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic and teratogenic data. Human mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx, SOx, and Na2O. Used as a pesticide. See also CARBAMATES
