Trimethylsilyl isocyanate is used in the preparation of 1-unsubstituted 4-(dialkylamino) imidazolin-2-ones. It finds application in the carbamoylation of aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohols. It is also used in the preparation of primary amides from Grignard reagents. Further, it is used in the synthesis of cyclic imides. It is also utilized for the synthesis of trifluoroacetyl isocyanate and cyclic imides. In addition to this, it is employed in the conversion of isocyanates to carbodiimides using cyclopentadienyl Mn(CO)3 catalysis.
Purify it by repeated fractionation as for the isothiocyanate. [Eaborn J Chem Soc 3077 1950, Beilstein 4 III 1861, 4 IV 4011.]
