Formation of cyanate compounds
AssigneeBell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
InventorsLee E. Trimble, Rudolf J. H. Voorhoeve
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Abstract
The use of a reaction mixture of carbon monoxide, an oxide of nitrogen such as nitric oxide, and a source of hydrogen when passed over a hydrogenation catalyst produces cyanate compounds, e.g., ammonium cyanate and isocyanic acid. The reaction conditions chosen determine the relative amounts of the various cyanate compounds to be formed. When the formation of ammonium cyanate is desired, the addition of ammonia to the reaction mixture reduces the amount of nitric oxide reactant necessary, while enhancing the efficiency of ammonium cyanate production. When a palladium or iridium catalyst is used, the production of isocyanic acid is favored.
Claims14
A process for producing isocyanic acid comprising the steps of (1) contacting a hydrogenation catalyst with a reaction mixture comprising a nitrogen oxide, CO, and a source of hydrogen under reaction conditions which avoid the substantial formation of collectible ammonia from said reaction mixture and (2) removing said isocyanic acid from the reactant flow.
A process for producing ammonium cyanate comprising the steps of (1) contacting a hydrogenation catalyst with a reaction mixture comprising a nitrogen oxide, CO, a source of hydrogen, and ammonia under reaction conditions which avoid the substantial in situ formation of ammonia entities from said reaction mixture and (2) removing said ammonium cyanate from the reactant flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.