Fosgeno

El fosgeno es un intermediario en la fabricación de importantes compuestos químicos industriales,

como los isocianatos, carbamatos, carbonatos orgánicos y las resinas, plaguicidas y colorantes que
de ellos se derivan. Se utilizó como gas de guerra. Las exposiciones a este gas pueden darse
también por descomposición de otros productos industriales corrientes, tales como
diclorometano, tetracloruro de carbono y tricloroetileno, especialmente si concurre radiación
ultravioleta
 The oxychlorination of carbon monoxide to phosgene has been
accomplished and the results of a catalyst-screening programme have
shown that a favourable performance is achieved with a catalyst
composed of copper(II) chloride supported upon a low surface area titania
containing caesium chloride and lanthanum chloride co-impregnants.
Using stoicheiometric feeds of CO, HCl and O2 in a flow system, at 393°C
and atmospheric pressure, a selectivity to phosgene of 57.2% was
obtained with a conversion of carbon monoxide corresponding to 42%.

The effects of the reactor pressure, contact time, catalyst loading, feed
stoicheiometry and the nature and surface area of the support upon the
catalyst activity and reaction selectivity have been investigated.

A mechanistic scheme for the catalytic reaction is described and it is

shown that lattice oxidation of phosgene is the predominant reaction
contributing to by-product carbon dioxide formation.