Thiocarbamate Esters and Salts/Dithiocarbamate Esters and Salts

Materials in this group are combustible. Poisonous gases are generated by the thermal decomposition of compounds of this class, including carbon disulfide, oxides of sulfur, oxides of nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and methylamine.

Many materials in this group slowly decompose in aqueous solution to form carbon disulfide and methylamine or other amines. Such decompositions are accelerated by acids. Flammable gases are generated by the combination of thiocarbamates and dithiocarbamates with aldehydes, nitrides, and hydrides. Thiocarbamates and dithiocarbamates are incompatible with acids, peroxides, and acid halides.

The slow release of poisonous gases from hydrolysis of many compounds in this group requires the use of respirators during handling. Poisoning can also occur by ingestion and absorption through the skin.

Compounds in this group are derivatives of thiocarbamic acid (NH2CSOH) or dithiocarbamic acid (NH2CS2H). In salts, a metal ion replaces the acidic H atom; in esters, an organic group replaces it. Additional compounds are derived by replacing one or both of the hydrogen atoms on the N with organic groups. These chemicals are used in the synthesis of polymers and in agriculture as pesticides, soil fumigants, and seed disinfectants.

Cycloate, ethyl dithiocarbamate, ferbam, maneb, ethylenebisdithiocarbamate, metham sodium, nabam, thiram, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, thiobencarb, zineb.