Reductive carbonylation of nitro compounds

This chapter describes the progress made in the field of reductive carbonylation of nitroarenes to give isocyanates, carbamates and ureas. Isocyanates are intermediates in the production of many chemicals among which are polyurethanes. Carbamates and urea are of interest themselves, but can also be thermally cracked to afford the corresponding isocyanates. However, the techniques employable for this thermolysis step are not discussed here. The most effective catalytic systems are all homogeneous and based on palladium, rhodium or ruthenium complexes or on selenium compounds. The chapter include all significant contributions from the early reports in the '960 to October 2015. More attention is given to the systems which are more promising in view of an industrial application. Several mechanistic studies are also considered in a critical manner.