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. The first step was run at a temperature of 120- ...