Novel Process for Industrial Production of Basic Chemicals

Researchers at Freie Universität Berlin developed new approach for producing phosgene. Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin have developed a new type of process for the industrial production of basic chemicals. They found a new approach to phosgene, opening up completely new possibilities in the production of raw materials. Carbonyl chloride - also known as phosgene - is one of the most important basic substances in the chemical industry. For example, it is the raw material for polymers, agrochemicals, and medicines. Alone the production of polyurethanes and polycarbonates, i.e., plastics that are used as insulating materials, in CDs, or in lenses for eyeglasses, utilizes around 12 million tons of phosgene annually. This figure is estimated to rise to 18.6 million tons per year by 2030.