The valuable polymer polyurethane is made by a condensation reaction of alcohols (ROH) with compounds that contain an isocyanate group (RNCO). Two reactions that can generate a urethane monomer are shown here:
(i)

(ii)

(a) Which process, i or ii, is greener? Explain.
(b) What are the hybridization and geometry of the carbon atoms in each C-containing compound in each reaction?
(c) If you wanted to promote the formation of the isocyanate intermediate in each reaction, what could you do, using Le Châtelier's principle?

Transcribed Image Text:

CI CI R N-C-OR