Ditiocarb: Decomposition in Aqueous Solution and Effect of the Volatile Product on Its Pharmacological Use

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 4-10pH range and enables the determination of the value of the acid-base equilibrium constant (Ka = 4.0 ⋅ 104 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.