An expeditious method for the selective cyclotrimerization of isocyanates initiated by TDAE

We developed a rapid and green synthesis of various isocyanurates by cyclotrimerization of isocyanates using TDAE (tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene). TDAE displays excellent performance in catalytic quantities, affording the corresponding trimer of isocyanates very rapidly, under air and at room temperature in good to excellent yields.