A novel synthesis of isocyanates via base-induced β-elimination of haloform N- monosubstituted trihaloacetamides is described. The rate of reaction exhibits a strong dependence on the nature of the trihalomethyl group. Thus, while the reaction of tribromoacetamides proceeds at room temperature and the reaction of trichloroacetamides requires heating in polar solvents, no reaction could be observed for any of the ...
