Of isocyanates

The 4-hydroxy-THISs react with electron-deficient alkynes to give cycloadducts (3) that spontaneously eliminate sulfur, producing 2-pyridones (3). Bulky 5-substituents lead to a decrease in the addition rate, and elimination of isocyanate with formation of thiophenes becomes favored (3, 12, 13). Benzyne yields an isolable adduct that exclusively extrudes isocyanate on thermolysis, but sulfur on irradiation (Scheme 7)... 

Electron-deficient alkenes add stereospecifically to 4-hydroxy-THISs with formation of endo-cycloadducts. Only with methylvinyl-ketone considerable amounts of the exo isomer are produced (Scheme 8) (16). The adducts (6) may extrude hydrogen sulfide on heating with methoxide producing 2-pyridones. The base is unnecessary with fumaronitrile adducts. The alternative elimination of isocyanate Or sulfur may be controlled using 7 as the dipolarenOphile. The cycloaddition produces two products, 8a (R = H, R = COOMe) and 8b (R = COOMe, R =H) (Scheme 9) (17). Pyrolysis of 8b leads to extrusion of furan and isocyanate to give a thiophene. The alternative S-elimi-nation can be effected by oxidation of the adduct and subsequent pyrolysis. 

Hydroxy-THISs add regioselectively to the C=N bonds of isocyanates and isothiocyanates producing stable adducts (Scheme ID (19). 

Hydroxy-THISs add regioselectively to the C=N bonds of isocyanates or isothiocyanates. The initially formed cycloadducts eliminate carbonyl sulfide with formation of 4-hydroxy- or 4-mercaptoimidazolium hydroxide inner salts (21) (Scheme 21). 4-Hydroxyimidazolium hydroxide... 

Isocyanates are derivatives of isocyanic acid, HN=C=0, ia which alkyl or aryl groups, as weU as a host of other substrates, are direcdy linked to the NCO moiety via the nitrogen atom. StmcturaHy, isocyanates (imides of carbonic acid) are isomeric to cyanates, ROCMSI (nitriles of carbonic acid), and nitrile oxides, RCMSI—>0 (derivatives of carboxyUc acid). 

The first synthetic route for isocyanates was reported in 1848 (10,11)- Subsequent efforts by Hofmann, Curtius, and Hentschel pioneered alternative synthetic approaches (12). These efforts highlighted the phosgene—amine approach. Staudinger presented the stmctural similarities between isocyanates and ketenes and stimulated interest in this class of compounds (13). However, it was not until 1945, when the world was pressed for an alternative to natural mbber, that synthetic routes to isocyanates became an area of great importance. Several excellent review articles covering the synthesis and chemistry of isocyanates have been presented (1 9). 

Oligomers of phosgene, such as diphosgene [503-38-8] (COCl2)2, have found use in the laboratory preparation of isocyanates. Carbamoyl chlorides, A[,A/-disubstituted ureas, dimethyl- and diphenylcarbonates, and arylsulfonyl isocyanates have also been used to convert amines into urea intermediates, which are subsequendy pyroly2ed to yield isocyanates. These methods have found appHcations for preparation of low boiling point aUphatic isocyanates (2,9,17). 

More convenient is the use of aryl a2ides which are readily converted into isocyanates upon heating in nonreactive solvents via the loss of nitrogen. The latter method is useful for the synthesis of isocyanates with additional substituents which could not be prepared with phosgene (20). 

Both dimethyl carbonate [616-38-6] and diphenyl carbonate [102-09-0] have been used, in place of carbon monoxide, as reagents for the conversion of amines into isocyanates via this route (28,29). Alternatively, aniline [62-53-3] toluene diamines (I JJA), and methylene dianilines (MDA) have also been used as starting materials in the carbonylations to provide a wide variety of isocyanate monomers. 

A simpler nonphosgene process for the manufacture of isocyanates consists of the reaction of amines with carbon dioxide in the presence of an aprotic organic solvent and a nitrogeneous base. The corresponding ammonium carbamate is treated with a dehydrating agent. This concept has been apphed to the synthesis of aromatic and aUphatic isocyanates. The process rehes on the facile formation of amine—carbon dioxide salts using acid haUdes such as phosphoryl chloride [10025-87-3] and thionyl chloride [7719-09-7] (30). 

Gycloaddition Reactions. Isocyanates undergo cyclo additions across the carbon—nitrogen double bond with a variety of unsaturated substrates. Addition across the C=0 bond is less common. The propensity of isocyanates to undergo cycli2ation reactions has been widely explored for the synthesis of heterocycHc systems. Substrates with C=0, C=N, C=S, and C=C bonds have been found to yield either 2 + 2, 2 + 2 + 2, or 2 + 4 cycloadducts or a variety of secondary reaction products (2). 

The dimeri2ation and trimeri2ation of isocyanates are special cases of the cycloaddition reaction ia that they iavolve reageats of the same type. The uacataly2ed carbodiiaiidi2atioa of isocyanates likely iavolves a labile 2 + 2 cycloadduct (12) which Hberates carboa dioxide. 

A comprehensive review of reactions of isocyanates and 1,3-dipolar compounds has been previously pubhshed (51). The example shown illustrates the reaction of azides and isocyanates to yield tetrazoles (14,R = alkyl or aryl, R = aryl or sulfonyl) (52,53). 

Oligomerization and Polymerization Reactions. One special feature of isocyanates is their propensity to dimerize and trimerize. Aromatic isocyanates, especially, are known to undergo these reactions in the absence of a catalyst. The dimerization product bears a strong dependency on both the reactivity and stmcture of the starting isocyanate. For example, aryl isocyanates dimerize, in the presence of phosphoms-based catalysts, by a crosswise addition to the C=N bond of the NCO group to yield a symmetrical dimer (15). 

Addition Polymers. The most commonly referenced reaction of isocyanates iavolves their addition to polyhydroxyl, polyamine, or polycarboxyhc acid compounds to yield addition polymers. Due to the wide diversity of raw material characteristics and the broad range of functionahty, polyurethane polymers having a wide range of processiag and performance characteristics are available. 

The reaction of isocyanates with alcohols to form carbamates is catalyzed by amines and a variety of organometaHic compounds. 

Conversely, the rate of reaction of isocyanates with amines to yield ureas is both rapid and quantitative. Much has been written concerning the reaction... 

Industrially, polyurethane flexible foam manufacturers combine a version of the carbamate-forming reaction and the amine—isocyanate reaction to provide both density reduction and elastic modulus increases. The overall scheme involves the reaction of one mole of water with one mole of isocyanate to produce a carbamic acid intermediate. The carbamic acid intermediate spontaneously loses carbon dioxide to yield a primary amine which reacts with a second mole of isocyanate to yield a substituted urea. 

Garbodiimide Formation. Carbodiimide formation has commercial significance in the manufacture of Hquid MDI. Heating of MDI in the presence of catalytic amounts of phosphine oxides or alkyl phosphates leads to partial conversion of isocyanate into carbodiimide (95). The carbodiimide (39) species reacts with excess isocyanate to form a 2 + 2cycloaddition product. The presence of this product in MDI leads to a melting point depression and thus a mixture which is Hquid at room temperature. 

Titrations with dibutylamine [111-92-2] can also be used to determine the NCO content of isocyanates and prepolymers. Generally, an excess of amine in a suitable solvent such as chlorobenzene [108-90-7] is added to the sample. The resulting solution is allowed to react and the unreacted amine is back- titrated with dilute hydrochloric acid. For low NCO content levels, a colorimetric method is often used. The isocyanate-containing species is titrated with amine and the unreacted amine is deterrnined using malachite green [569-64-2]. 

Temperature control is important in the handling and storage of isocyanates. Storage at inappropriate temperatures can cause product discoloration, viscosity increases, and dimerization. Handling personnel should consult the technical data sheets for the recommended storage temperature of the specific isocyanate product. 

Globally, BASF, Bayer (Miles in North America), Dow, and ICI historically have been the leading producers of aromatic isocyanates. In North America, Olin is a principal suppHer of TDI and aUphatic isocyanates. Rhc ne-Poulenc and Hoechst are principal suppHers in Europe. A listing of all the principal global suppHers and their respective products and trade names is presented in Tables 5 and 6. A breakdown of isocyanate demand by region is presented in Table 7. 

Hydroxyl Number. The molecular weight of polyether polyols for urethanes is usually expressed as its hydroxyl number or percent hydroxyl. When KOH (56,100 meg/mol) is the base, the hydroxyl number is defined as 56,100/equivalent weight (eq wt). Writing the equation as eq wt = 56,100/OH No. allows one to calculate the equivalents of polyol used in a urethane formulation, and then the amount of isocyanate required. The molecular weight can be calculated from these equations if the fiinctionahty, is known mol wt = / eq wt. 

Zirconium alkoxides are used for cross-linking and hardening of isocyanate, epoxy, siUcon, urea, melamine, and terephthalate resins in the sol-gel process as catalysts in condensation and as water repellents. Zirconium alkoxides hydroly2e in moist air, but more slowly than titanium alkoxides. 

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