PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ISOCYANATES FROM FORMAMIDES

摘要

Process for preparing isocyanates from formamides wherein a formamide corresponding to the formula R (NHCHO)n, where R is an organic group and n is 1 or 2, is oxidized with an oxygen containing gas at a temperature in the range of 300 DEG C to 600 DEG C in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper and/or one or more metals of the Groups IB and VIII of the 5th and 6th period of the Periodic System of Elements to yield the corresponding isocyanate R(NCO)n where R and n have the same meaning as above, and the resultant gaseous isocyanate containing reaction mixture is subjected to a separation process to separate the product isocyanate from water of reaction.