An analytical capillary electrophoresis method was developed for the identification and quantification of the xanthate family of organosulfur compounds, all of which are used in froth floatation during the milling process of mined ore. Using this previously optimized novel method, bulk samples of unknown composition were characterized by their concentration of each xanthate, as well as the concentration of unknown compounds arising from contaminants on the manufacturing side or degradation products. Calibration curves were prepared for the four different organic-chain xanthates: amyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and isobutyl.
