Stable isocyanic acid compositions

Abstract

Stable isocyanic acid compositions containing isocyanic acid in an organic solvent therefor, having a small amount of a labile halide compound, such as carbamoyl chloride.

We claim: 
     
       1. A stable isocyanic acid composition consisting essentially of isocyanic acid, a solubilizing amount of an organic solvent therefor, and a labile halide compound in an amount calculated as hydrogen halide of between 0.01 and 1 weight percent based on the isocyanic acid. 
     
     
       2. A composition according to claim 1 in which the labile halide is the chloride. 
     
     
       3. A composition according to claim 2 in which the labile chloride is introduced as hydrogen chloride. 
     
     
       4. A composition according to claim 1 in which the labile halide is formed by adding a halide compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen halide and halide compounds which release hydrogen halide in situ. 
     
     
       5. A composition according to claim 1 in which the solvent is toluene. 
     
     
       6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the labile halide is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen halides, phosphorus halides, thionyl halides and carbamoyl halides. 
     
     
       7. A composition according to claim 1 which is anhydrous.