Phosgene and Derivatives

The annual capacity of the United States to manufacture phosgene is about 2 billion lb, and the unit price is 0.55 (per pound 1993). The gas is packaged in 1-ton returnable containers that cost about 3,000 each. Most of the demand of about 1.6 billion lb is consumed in the production of polyurethane (PUR) followed by the production of polycarbonates (PC) [85]. 

Phosgene is produced by means of a typical free-radical chain reaction between chlorine and carbon monoxide [85]  

While phosgene was discovered and was given its name because the reaction is catalyzed by sunlight, it is currently manufactured at a minimum 

Recent phosgene plants constructed in the Gulf Coast of the United States obtain their CO from synthesis gas by low-temperature fractionation [8]. Early units derived their raw material from coal, directly or indirectly. Most phosgene plants have their own caustic chlorine facilities. Since most phosgene is consumed captively, the hydrogen chloride is recovered in an oxidation unit. 

Most of the current demand of 1.6 billion lb of phosgene is used by the polyurethane (PUR) industry, and most of it is produced for captive use because of its hazardous nature and the consequently high shipping and insurance costs [85]. 

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Volume 1 Includes Introduction, some considerations on physical properties and chemical reactivity, and four chapters devoted to phosgene and derivatives as building blocks. 

Volume 2 presents applications of phosgene and derivatives as reagents and the general conclusion. 

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