Abstract:Chalcopyrite and molybdenite usually co-exist in ore deposit and show similar flotability, their flotation separation remains a challenging issue in the field of mineral processing. Therefore, the development of efficient chalcopyrite depressants is becoming more and more important. Traditional inorganic depressants of chalcopyrite have the disadvantages of high dosage and heavy environmental burden, and are gradually being partially replaced by organic small molecule depressants. As a result, the research on this type of depressant is increasingly popular. The research progress in the crystal structures of chalcopyrite and molybdenite and their surface properties were summarized. The similarity, transitivity and difference law of the type, adsorption mechanism, application effect of their depressants were outlined in detail.The latest advances in the molecular design of the chalcopyrite depressant were discussed. The structure-activity relationship and design ideas of chalcopyrite depressants were mainly discussed. In particular, it was found that depressants with multifunctional chelating synergy exhibited a better depressant effect. Design idea combining molecular simulation technology under the guidance of Fermi level theory and frontier orbital theory was put forward, which provided a guidance for the design of new chalcopyrite depressants.