Urea as an Efficient Reagent for the Synthesis of 3-Ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane: A Novel Component in Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerisation
Urea is a very attractive chemical raw material for large-scale production as it combines low cost with virtually unlimited supply and essentially no toxic effects. Here, we present a study on its use in the dehydration of trimethylolpropane with formation of 3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane. The reaction consists of carbonylation of trimethylolpropane and subsequent extrusion of carbon dioxide. T