process, also termed MADIX (macromolecular design via interchange of xanthates).

Reactions with electrophiles

Xanthate anions undergo alkylation to give xanthate esters, which are generally stable:
:ROCS₂K + R´X -> ROC(S)SR´ + KX

They can be oxidized to dixanthogen disulfides:
:2 ROCS₂Na + I₂ -> ROC(S)S₂C(S)OR + 2 NaI

Acylation of xanthates gives alkyl xanthogen esters (ROC(S)SC(O)R')