Dithiophosphates are thion derivatives of esters of dialkylphosphinic acids. In world practice, they are used for the enrichment of ores of rare and non-ferrous metals and today remain one of the main reagents - collectors in flotation processes.
Dithiophosphates are more selective collectors than xanthogenates in the processing of copper-pyrite, copper-zinc-pyrite ores, since they are weak collectors for pyrite, they are also sometimes used in combination with xanthogenates without a foaming agent, since they have foaming properties.