General description and application of Benzyl isocyanate

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General description of Benzyl isocyanate:

Benzyl isocyanate [3173-56-6] or isocyanatomethylbenzene, Isocyanic Acid Benzyl Ester is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with the boiling point of 110-111°C at 40 mmHg.^[1] This compound is highly toxic as other isocyanates and should be handled carefully. It is soluble in common organic solvents, and it hydrolyses in water therefore should be stored in a dry container.

Common preparation involves the use of highly toxic phosgene, which reacts with benzylamine.^[2] Alternatively, it may be prepared from benzylbromide in a reaction with silver nitrocyanamide generated in situ ^[3] or by the pyrolysis of N–t-butylbenzyl-N-carbamoyl chloride.^[4]

Application of Benzyl isocyanate:

Benzyl isocyanate is used as a protected ammonia equivalent in the stereoselective ring-opening of chiral 2,3-epoxy alcohols from Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation.^[5] It was also used in a multicomponent, stereospecific synthesis of 1,3-oxazinane-2,4-diones catalysed with Al-salph complex.^[6] Isocyanate can be used in preparation of disubstituted isocyanuric acid in reaction with KOCN.^[1]

Product categorization (Chemical groups):

Main category:

• Isocyanates

Second level:

• Aromatic

Third level:

• Benzene derivatives

Hazard Statements – Benzyl isocyanate:

H226 – Flammable liquid and vapour
H315 – Causes skin irritation
H317 – May cause an allergic skin reaction
H319 – Causes serious eye irritation
H334 – May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
H335 – May cause respiratory irritation

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