Definition

Noun: 1. Any of a class of unstable organic acids containing sulphur: A chemical term referring to organic compounds characterized by their instability and the presence of both carbon and sulphur in their molecular structure, specifically as esters of the hypothetical compound.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The early research paper described the synthesis of a xanthic acid derivative.
  • Due to its instability, pure xanthic acid is difficult to isolate and study.
  • The reaction produced a compound belonging to the xanthic acid class.

Advanced Usage

• In chemical nomenclature: The term is primarily used in historical or specialized chemical contexts to categorize certain organosulfur compounds. The general formula is often represented as ROC(S)SH, where R is an organic group.
• "Xanthate": This is a stable and far more common term derived from xanthic acids. A xanthate is the salt or ester of a xanthic acid.

Variants and Related Words

• Xanthate (noun): A salt or ester of xanthic acid, which is stable and has industrial applications, notably in mining as a flotation agent.
  • Potassium amyl xanthate is used in mineral processing.
• Xanthogenic (adjective): Relating to or derived from xanthic acid.
  • The xanthogenic acid series was investigated.

Synonyms

• Alkyl dithiocarbonic acid: A more systematic chemical name describing the same class of compounds.

Noun

1. any of a class of unstable organic acids containing sulphur