The Synthesis of Isocyanurates on the Trimerization of Isocyanates under High Pressure

The trimerization of phenyl isocyanate in the presence of triethylamine was accelerated under high pressure to give triphenyl isocyanurate almost quantitatively. The reaction in benzene was remarkably accelerated by compression. The effects of pressure, temperature, catalysts, and solvents were examined on the trimerization of phenyl isocyanate. Aryl and normal alkyl isocyanates trimerized under high pressure to give the corresponding isocyanurates in good yields, whereas isocyanates having bulky alkyl groups such as t-butyl and cyclohexyl did not trimerize even under 800 MPa.