Reaction of Xanthates with t-Amines. VI. The Reaction Mechanism

It was previously reported that xanthate reacted with t-amine to give quaternary ammonium salt at room temperature, and dithiolcarbonates at elevated temperatures. Precise study showed that these reaction products are formed by the following three reactions: the alkylation of t-amine with xanthate affords quaternary ammonium salt and the reaction of xanthate with quaternary ammonium salt yields dithiolcarbonate, while there is transesterification between thiolesters and quaternary ammonium salt. The rate constants and equilibrium constants of these reactions were calculated.