Some alkyl N-aryldithiocarbamates were prepared and their thermal beha
viour was studied using TG, DTG and GC/MS. Thermogravimetric data were
used for calculations of the apparent kinetic parameters of the therm
al decomposition. Decomposition proceeds as a reaction with order n =
1, except that of butyl N-phenyldithiocarbamate which follows order n
= 0. The apparent activation energies of the processes were found to b
e above 100 kJ mol(-1) for almost all compounds studied. The thermally
induced decomposition of the compounds occurs as a single-stage proce
ss, except that of ethyl N-tolyldithiocarbamate where three steps coul
d be distinguished. The products of the decompositions were indentifie
d by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and used for predictions of
the mechanisms involved.