International conference

''Phosgene versus Triphosgene: facts on Risk Management at Industrial Scale'' - Hazardous Chemistry for Streamlined Large Scale Synthesis Conference, Cologne 23 - 24 th June 2011.

Abstract :

During the second half of 20st century, Phosgene chemistry has been intensively developed at industrial scale either for large production volume of isocyanates for polymer industry or for small to medium production volume of a wide range of key building blocks useful for production of active substances. Phosgene high toxicity and regulation constraint had pushed industrial chemist to seek for alternative reagents. Triphosgene is often presented as “common, safe and fully available ” substitute of phosgene. This paper presents a balance of pros and cons for the use of Phosgene or its substitutes in fine chemical industry. Toxicity, stability hazards, chemistry and process efficiency are discussed. All data highlights the critical need of chemical and process knowledge coupled with high level of industrial risk management.