Question

Phosgene (COCl₂) was used as a poison gas in World War I. What product would be formed from the reaction of phosgene with each of the following reagents?

a. one equivalent of methanol

b. excess methanol

c. excess propylamine

d. excess water

Short answer

When phosgene reacts with 1equivalent of methanol it leads to the removal of HCl and formation of methyl carbonochloridate as shown below:

Step-by-step solution

Reaction of phosgene with one equivalent of methanol

When phosgene reacts with 1equivalent of methanol it leads to the removal of HCl and formation of methyl carbonochloridate as shown below:

Reaction of phosgene with an excess of methanol

When phosgene reacts with an excess of methanol it leads to the removal of two equivalent of HCl and the formation of dimethyl carbonate as shown below:

Reaction of phosgene with an excess of propylamine

When phosgene reacts with an excess of propylamine it leads to the removal of two equivalent of HCl and the formation of di-propyl amide is after losing proton by HCl addition of N- propyl to the oxygen with carbonyl as shown below:

Reaction of phosgene with an excess of water

When phosgene reacts with an excess of water it leads to the removal of two equivalent of HCl and the formation of the product occurs that is after losing proton by HCl addition of OH hydroxyl group l to the carbon of carbonyl which further leads to decarboxylation and formed carbon dioxide and water as shown below: