Isopropyl ethyl thionocarbamate, universally known as Z-200, is one of the most effective selective collectors in modern flotation practice. Developed decades ago and still widely used, Z-200 floats copper and molybdenum sulfides with excellent selectivity against pyrite, which makes it a first choice for copper-molybdenum and copper-gold ores.
Chemistry and Specification
The active component is O-isopropyl-N-ethyl thionocarbamate, molecular formula (CH3)2CHOC(S)NHC2H5. It is an amber or dark brown oily liquid, sparingly soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol and ether, with a density of 990-1004 kg/m3 and a flash point of 140 degrees F. Specification per YS/T 357-2015:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| O-isopropyl-N-ethyl thionocarbamate | ≥ 95.0% |
| Isopropyl alcohol | ≤ 2.0% |
| Diethyl thiourea | ≤ 2.0% |
See the Z-200 product page for the full data sheet.
Why Choose Z-200 Over Xanthate?
Xanthates are strong collectors but are not very selective against pyrite. Z-200’s thionocarbamate chemistry binds preferentially to copper and molybdenum sulfides, so it achieves high recovery with much less pyrite entrainment. In practice this means:
- Higher concentrate grade: less iron sulfides in the concentrate, lowering smelter penalties.
- Lower reagent consumption: typically 10-40 g/t, far below xanthate dosage.
- Better performance in alkaline circuits: Z-200 works well at the pH levels used to depress pyrite.
- Reduced froth overloading: because less gangue is collected, froth stays cleaner.
Many plants run Z-200 alone for copper, or in combination with a xanthate or dithiophosphate when extra collecting power is needed for coarse particles.
Dosage and Application Tips
Add Z-200 as an emulsion or solution at 10-40 g/t. Because it is an oily liquid, emulsification with water before addition improves dispersion. For copper-molybdenum ores, a typical regime is Z-200 plus MIBC frother, followed by molybdenum upgrading with sodium hydrosulfide depression of copper.
Sourcing Z-200
Shanghai Minglan Chemical supplies Z-200 manufactured to YS/T 357-2015 with batch certificates. Contact info@minglanchem.com for samples, specifications and pricing, or browse the full flotation reagents catalogue.