From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Not to be confused with Isocyanide.
The isocyanate functional group

Isocyanate is the functional group with the formula R–N=C=O. Organic compounds that contain an isocyanate group are referred to as isocyanates. An isocyanate that has two isocyanate groups is known as a di-isocyanate. Di-isocyanates are manufactured for reactions with polyols in the production of polyurethanes, a class of polymers.

Isocyanates should not be confused with cyanate esters and isocyanides, whose behaviors are very different. The cyanate (cyanate ester) functional group (R–O–C≡N) is arranged opposite of the isocyanate group (R–N=C=O). Isocyanides have the connectivity R-N≡C, lacking the oxygen of the cyanate groups.


Isocyanates are produced by treating amines with phosgene:

RNH2 + COCl2 → RNCO + 2 HCl

These reactions proceed via the intermediacy of a carbamoyl chloride (RNHC(O)Cl). Owing to the hazards associated with phosgene, the production of isocyanates requires special precautions.[1]


Reactions with nucleophiles[edit]

Isocyanates are electrophiles, and as such they are reactive toward a variety of nucleophiles including alcohols, amines, and even water. Upon treatment with an alcohol, an isocyanate forms a urethane linkage:[1]


If a di-isocyanate is treated with a compound containing two or more hydroxyl groups, such as a diol or a polyol, polymer chains are formed, which are known as polyurethanes. Isocyanates react with water to form carbon dioxide:

RNCO + H2O → RNH2 + CO2

This reaction is exploited in tandem with the production of polyurethane to give polyurethane foams. The carbon dioxide functions as a blowing agent.[2]

Isocyanates also react with amines to give ureas:

R2NH + R'NCO → R2NC(O)N(H)R'

The addition of an isocyanate to a urea gives a biuret:


Reaction between a di-isocyanate and a compound containing two or more amine groups, produces long polymer chains known as polyureas.


Isocyanates also can react with themselves. Aliphatic di-isocyanates can form trimers, which are structurally related to cyanuric acid. Isocyanates participate in Diels-Alder reactions, functioning as dienophiles.

Rearrangement Reactions[edit]

Isocyanates are common intermediates in the synthesis of primary amines via hydrolysis:

Common isocyanates[edit]

Methylene diphenyl 4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI)
Numbering of the ring atoms shown with blue numbers

The global market for diisocyanates in the year 2000 was 4.4 million tonnes, of which 61.3% was methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), 34.1% was toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 3.4% was the total for hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and 1.2% was the total for various others.[7] A monofunctional isocyanate of industrial significance is methyl isocyanate (MIC), which is used in the manufacture of pesticides.


LD50s are typically several hundred milligrams per kilogram.[8] Isocyanates are potentially dangerous irritants to the eyes and respiratory tract, despite their relatively low acute toxicities.

Methyl isocyanate was the chemical released in the Bhopal disaster causing the death of nearly 4000 people.

Polyurethanes have variable curing times, and the presence of free isocyanates in foams vary accordingly.[9]


See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b Christian Six, Frank Richter "Isocyanates, Organic" in Ulmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a14_611
  2. ^ Paul Painter and Michael Coleman. Fundamentals to Polymer Science, An Introductory Text (Second ed.). p. 39. 
  3. ^, Ch20Handout, University of Massachusetts Boston
  4. ^ Mann, F. G.; Saunders, B. C. (1960). Practical Organic Chemistry, 4th Ed. London: Longman. p. 128. ISBN 9780582444072. 
  5. ^ Cohen, Julius (1900). Practical Organic Chemistry 2nd Ed. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited. p. 72. 
  6. ^ Baumgarten, Henry; Smith, Howard; and Staklis, Andris (1975). "Reactions of amines. XVIII. Oxidative rearrangement of amides with lead tetraacetate". The Journal of Organic Chemistry 40 (24): 3554–3561. doi:10.1021/jo00912a019. Retrieved 19 December 2013. 
  7. ^ Randall, D (2002). The Polyurethanes Book. Wiley. ISBN 0-470-85041-8. 
  8. ^ Allport DC, Gilbert, DS and Outterside SM (eds) (2003).MDI and TDI: safety, health & the environment: a source book and practical guide. Chichester, Wiley.
  9. ^ Riedlich, C (2010). "Risk of isocyanate exposure in the construction industry" (PDF). CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training: 1–8. 

External links[edit]