In a closed aqueous system, metham-sodium gave rise to methyl 
isothiocyanate and hydrogen sulfate. Apparently these interacted 
and a white precipitate formed. The latter exhibited an ultraviolet 
spectrum like that of bis (N-methylthiocarbamyl) disulfide. The pH 
of the water was 7.5 and was probably buffered by a three-way 
equilibrium: 
5 H S 
on, AE su — a CHeeN=c=s= 
F +CS 
cH, NH, 2 
HOH 
CH,-NH ‘ + OH™ 
ee 
Esterification of metham-sodium then apparently occurred by 
direct addition of the halogenated hydrocarbon (1010). 
HS H 
cH, -N-U-5 + ROC on, -Hl sn +C17 
192 
