Catalytic conversion of isocyanates to carbodiimides by cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl and cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl dimer

Isocyanates are catalytically converted to the corresponding carbodiimides in the presence of low valent transition metal complexes. The best conversions and yields were accomplished using [(C5R5)Fe(CO)2]2 (R = H or Me) or MeCpMn(CO)3 as catalysts.