PROCESS FOR PREPARING ISOCYANATES

摘要

A process for preparing isocyanates comprising (a) contacting carbon dioxide and a primary amine in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent and an organic, nitrogenous base to produce the corresponding ammonium carbamate salt, and (b) reacting the ammonium carbamate salt with an electrophilic or oxophilic dehydrating agent to produce the corresponding isocyanate. A second embodiment comprises recovering the ammonium carbamate salt of step (a) prior to reacting the ammonium carbamate salt with an electrophilic or oxophilic dehydrating agent in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent and an organic, nitrogenous base.