Benzyl alcohol ions, decomposition

In the manufacture of benzylchloroformate, liquid phosgene and cold toluene were charged to a glass-lined reactor. These components were followed by the slow addition of benzyl alcohol. After completion of the reaction, toluene was distilled off under vacuum. On one occasion, a violent explosion occurred towards the end of the distillation process. The investigation revealed that the cause of the explosion was the catalytic decomposition of the chloroformic acid ester produced, by iron ions present in the liquid phosgene. 

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