Benzene → Phenyl isocyanate

Participants

Reaction Steps

In the present invention, benzene is oxidized in acetonitrile to form a radical cation. The isocyanate anion (solubilized by the 18-crown-6 polyether) then attacks the activated ring to give a phenyl isocyanate radical which then loses a proton to give phenyl isocyanate. The 18-crown-6 acts as a solid to liquid phase transfer catalyst bringing the insoluble KOCN into the acetonitrile solution. A schematic is shown below.

Provenance & Evidence