Ammonia → Urea

Participants

Reaction Steps

A number of cyanate compounds (for purposes of this disclosure, a term used generically for compounds having an OCN or NCO moiety such as cyanates or isocyanates) have significant commercial applications. For example, ammonium cyanate or its equivalent urea is employed in a number of large scale uses. Urea is used as a main constituent in fertilizers, as a monomer in the production of plastics, and as an ingredient in animal feed. The large quantities of urea used are synthesized commercially by contacting carbon dioxide and ammonia at high pressure, typically 200 to 400 atms. and at temperatures between 140° to 210 degrees C. to form ammonium carbamate, which is then decomposed into urea and water with a yield of 50%. The high pressures and incomplete conversion of CO2 and NH3 necessitate the use of expensive, sophisticated reaction and separation equipment. Production of smaller quantities is, therefore, not fiscally acceptable.

Provenance & Evidence