Alkylenebis dithiocarbamate s and dimethyldithiocarbamates

2 Alkylenebis(dithiocarbamate)s and dimethyldithiocarbamates The pesticides in these groups are also regarded as unspecific SH reagents. Nabam is the disodium salt of alkylenebis(dithiocarbamate)  

Nabam was originally described in 1943. When mixed with zinc or manganese sulfate, zineb or maneb is formed, respectively. The mixed salt of zinc and manganese, mancozeb is used quite extensively. The alkyl-enebis(dithiocarbamate)s have a low mammalian toxicity (e.g., LD50 = 8000 mg/kg for rats) but are considered to be carcinogenic, notably through the metabolite ethylenethiourea, which is formed by cooking. 

---