The isomerization of ammonium cyanates. II. The kinetics of isomerization of ammonium and alkylammonium cyanates in dimethyl sulphoxide-water mixtures

Abstract

The kinetics of the isomerizations of ammonium, methylammonium and ethylammonium cyanates to urea, methylurea and ethylurea have been studied in aqueous dimethyl sulphoxide over the range 0-100% dimethyl sulphoxide. Side reactions occur at all solvent compositions and urea formation accounts for only between 65% and 90% of products. The side reaction in water produces carbonate and in dimethyl sulphoxide biuret or alkyl-substituted biurets. The proportion of each of these products in solvent mixtures has not been determined.