As typical for xanthates, potassium amyl xanthate is prepared by reacting n-amyl alcohol with carbon disulfide and potassium hydroxide.
: CH(CH)OH  +  CS  +  KOH →  CH(CH)OCSK  +  HO
Potassium amyl xanthate is a pale yellow powder.  Its solutions are relatively stable between pH 8 and 13 with a maximum of stability at pH 10.