| abstract |
According to the invention, the phosgene is reacted on a mercaptan in the presence of a catalyst of general formula: where X = O or S and where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 are in particular aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic groups or a hydrogen atom. The level of catalyst is 0.1 to 10 mol% relative to the mercaptan and the reaction is carried out at ambient temperature and at atmospheric pressure. The process, which can be made continuous, leads to short residence times and to high yield and purity.n n n Thiochloroformates essentially find their application as intermediates for the synthesis of herbicidal compounds. |