Application of Triphosgene in Organic Synthesis

2/22/2022

Solid phosgene, also known as triphosgene. The chemical name is bis (trichloromethyl) carbonate [Bis (trichloromethyl) Carbonate], abbreviated as BTC (structural formula shown in Figure 1) is an ideal substitute for phosgene. Phosgene and diphosgene are widely used in the synthesis of medicines, pesticides, organic intermediates, and polymer materials. However, due to their low safety, their usability is greatly limited. Phosgene and diphosgene have a low boiling point, are volatile and highly toxic, and have been banned or restricted in many countries.


1. Introduction of Sanphosgene


Solid phosgene, also known as triphosgene. The chemical name is bis (trichloromethyl) carbonate [Bis (trichloromenthyl) Carbonate], abbreviated as BTC (structural formula shown in Figure 1) is an ideal substitute for phosgene. Phosgene and diphosgene are widely used in the synthesis of medicines, pesticides, organic intermediates, and polymer materials. However, due to their low safety, their usability is greatly limited. Phosgene and diphosgene have a low boiling point, are volatile and highly toxic, and have been banned or restricted in many countries.

 

三光气-图1.png

 

Triphosgene was first discovered in 1880. BTC is a white crystal with a pungent smell, with a relative molecular weight of 296.75, a melting point of 79-83°C, and a boiling point of 203-206°C. It is soluble in organic solvents such as ether, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and hexane. At room temperature, BTC has extremely low surface vapor pressure and high thermal stability. Even at distillation temperature, there is only a small amount of decomposition. Therefore, it is only treated as a general toxic substance in the industry. The chemical reactions it participates in are often very mild, with strong selectivity and high yield. At present, it is widely used in the synthesis of carbonate, chloroalkane, acid chloride, acid anhydride, urea and polyheterocycle.

 

This paper mainly introduces and summarizes the preparation of triphosgene and its practical application in organic synthesis in recent years.

 




2. Synthesis of triphosgene




At present, the preparation methods of BTC are mainly batch method and continuous method; the mechanism is the chlorination reaction of dimethyl carbonate under photocatalysis.

 

2.1 Batch method

 

三光气-图2.png

 

Dimethyl carbonate is dissolved in carbon tetrachloride, and under light, chlorine gas is passed continuously for more than 20 hours, and free radical reaction occurs. After the reaction is over, carbon tetrachloride is distilled off, recovered and used mechanically, and white crystal BTC can be obtained with a yield of over 95%.

 

2.2 Continuous method

 

三光气-图3.png

 

The continuous method is based on two reactions, and three products of BTC, dimethyl carbonate and hydrochloric acid can be obtained according to the needs, which is an ideal process for producing BTC.

 


3. The application of triphosgene


Triphosgene can undergo a phosgenation reaction with a nucleophile at a lower temperature; one molecule of triphosgene is equivalent to three molecules of phosgene, and it has many applications in fine organic synthesis.

 

3.1 Reaction of BTC with hydroxyl compounds

3.1.1 BTC can react with different hydroxyl compounds to obtain chloroformate products

 

三光气-图4.png

 

3.1.2 The formed chloroformate intermediate can be combined with excess hydroxyl compound to obtain carbonate product

 

三光气-图5.png

 

3.1.3 Triphosgene can also react with vicinal diols to form cyclic carbonates, which is equivalent to the protection of hydroxyl functional groups

 

三光气-图6.png

 

3.1.4 Triphosgene is also a good chlorination reagent, which can carry out chlorination reaction under mild conditions

 

三光气-图7.png

 

3.1.5 Oxidation with alcohols to form aldehydes and ketones

 

三光气-图8.png

 

3.2. Reaction of BTC with carboxylic acid compounds

3.2.1 Formation of acid chlorides

 

三光气-图9.png

 

3.2.2 Anhydride formation

A molecule of carboxylic acid can react with 1/6 BTC in tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate to form acid anhydride.

 

三光气-图10.png

 

3.3 Reaction of BTC with amino compounds

3.3.1 Formation of isocyanates with primary amines

Isocyanate compounds are an important class of polymer materials, such as polybenzylidene polyisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, etc.; isocyanate can form urea compounds with excess amines, which widely exist in pesticides and pharmaceutical intermediates.

 

三光气-图11.png

 

3.3.2 BTC and secondary amines to generate acid chloride derivatives

In 1996, Kaufman used proline as a raw material and BTC protected amino groups to prepare chiral amino acid precursors.

 

三光气-图12.png

 

It can also generate urea intermediates with excess secondary amines, and then react with organometallic reagents to generate corresponding ketones.

 

三光气-图13.png

 

3.4 BTC and bifunctional compounds to form heterocyclic compounds

3.4.1 Reaction of BTC with N,N bifunctional compounds

 

三光气-图14.png

 

When there are primary amines, secondary amines, and carboxyl groups on the compound at the same time, BTC has higher selectivity for primary amines, and secondary amines and carboxyl groups do not need to be protected.

 

三光气-图15.png

 

3.4.2 Reaction of BTC with N,O bifunctional compounds

 

三光气-图16.png

 

3.5 BTC and N-formamide form isocyanide or imine

 

三光气-图17.png

 

3.6 BTC and aldoxime or amide form nitrile compounds

 

三光气-图18.png

 

3.7 FC reaction between BTC and aromatic compounds

  

三光气-图19.png

 

 

 

references:

[1] Xing Fenglan. Research and application of a series of compounds synthesized by triphosgene instead of phosgene [J], Fine and Specialty Chemicals, 2006, 14(21): 11

[2] Wang Zhengping, Liu Tiancai. Synthesis and Application of Triphosgene [J], Progress in Chemical Industry, 2002, 21(3): 172

[3] Liao Lian'an, Zhao Shicai. Synthesis and application of triphosgene [J], Chemical Production and Technology, 1998, 4:33

[4] Lv Feng, Liu Yuting, Zou Jing, Zhang Dade, Yao Zuguang [J], Information Recording Materials, 2004, 5(3): 21

[5] Eekert, H., Forster, R. Angew. Chem., int. Ed, 1987, 922. [6] Jones, SS, et al. US 4321399(1990)


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