Diphosgene

Other Names:

Trichloromethyl chloroformate

General Information:

Structure:

CAS Number: 503-38-8

Molecular Weight: 197.82 g/mol

Appearance: Liquid

Melting Point: -57 C

Boiling Point: 128 C

Density: 1.65 g/mL

Diphosgene is a compound that acts chemically like two equivalents of phosgene. This is because upon reacting diphosgene forms one equivalent of phosgene (toxic gas). Diphosgene, being a liquid, is more convenient to handle than phosgene. Triphosgene, which is a solid, is a related compound that chemically acts like three equivalents of phosgene.

Common Uses:

- Reagent for the formation of urea functional groups

Safety:

Diphosgene is a toxic liquid.

References:

1) Wikipedia: Diphosgene (link)

2) www.sigmaaldrich.com: Trichloromethyl chloroformate (link)