Reduction and inhibition of the content of ethylene thio urine substance in alkylenebisdithiocarbamates.

摘要

A method is provided for stabilizing alkylenebisdithiocarbamates, such as 1,2-ethylenebisdithiocarbamates (EBDC), by mixing the EBDC in the presence of water with a hydroxymethane sulfinate (HMS) which degrades to formaldehyde to reduce the content of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in the EBDC. The HMS and sulfate by-product from the formaldehyde formation also act as reducing agents to inhibit further ETU formation by oxidative decomposition of EBDC. The hydroxymethane sulfinate is preferably added in an amount of about 0.1 to 5 weight percent based upon the EBDC, and the aqueous reaction mixture is then preferably dried under vacuum. Co- polymerization agents, such as hydroquinone or melamine, may also be added to further reduce and inhibit ETU content and formation.