Quantum-chemical investigation of isocyanate reactions with linear methanol associates: IV. Mechanism of autocatalytic reaction of methyl isocyanate with linear methanol associates

It was shown by quantum-chemical method B3LYP/6-311++G(df,p) that in the autocatalytic reaction the molecules of methyl carbamate formed prereaction complexes with the monomer and dimer of methanol. The complexes possess higher electron-donor properties than free alcohol molecules thus increasing the activity of complexes in the reaction with isocyanates. The products of the autocatalytic reaction are new molecules of carbamate and azomethinenol. The conversions occur through concerted asymmetric late transition states. The isomerization of azomethinenols into carbamates is catalyzed by molecules of alcohols and their associates. The autocatalytic reaction of isocyanates with alcohols becomes possible owing to the ability of alcohols to catalyze the mentioned isomerization.