Transition metal dithiocarbamate complexes

Because of the pi-donor properties of the amino substituent, the two sulfur centers show enhanced basicity.

Another consequence of their high basicity, dithiocarbamates often stabilize complexes in uncharacteristically high oxidation state (e.g., Fe(IV), Co(IV), Ni(III), Cu(III)).

Many primary and secondary amines react with carbon disulfide and sodium hydroxide to form dithiocarbamate salts:[2] A wide variety of secondary amines give the corresponding dtc ligand.

[3] A complementary method entails oxidative addition of thiuram disulfides to low-valent metal complexes: Metal amido complexes, such as tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium, react with carbon disulfide: Dithiocarbamate complexes do not undergo characteristic reactions.

They can be removed from complexes by oxidation, as illustrated by the iodination of the iron tris(diethyldithiocarbamate): They degrade to metal sulfides upon heating.