Phosgene is a raw material that is used primarily in the production of two other chemicals: methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Phosgene is produced by combining carbon monoxide and chlorine with a catalyst.
Phosgene is essential in the manufacturing of products used in everyday life, including flexible foam in upholstered furniture, rigid foam as insulation in walls and roofs, and thermoplastic polyurethane used in medical devices and footwear. Phosgene is important in manufacturing coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers used on floors and automotive interiors. It is also used to make polycarbonate plastics, as well as a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and specialty chemical intermediates.
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