A decade review of triphosgene and its applications in organic reactions

This review article highlights selected advances in triphosgene-enabled organic synthetic reactions that were reported in the decade of 2010–2019. Triphosgene is a versatile reagent in organic synthesis. It serves as a convenient substitute for the toxic phosgene gas. Despite its first known preparation in the late 19th century, the upward surge in the development of organic reactions using triphosgene interestingly began only three decades ago. Despite the relatively short history, triphosgene has been proven to be very useful in facilitating the preparation of a vast scope of value-added compounds, such as organohalides, acid chlorides, isocyanates, carbonyl addition adducts, heterocycles, among others. Furthermore, applications of triphosgene in complex molecules synthesis, polymer synthesis, and other techniques, such as flow chemistry and solid phase synthesis, have also emerged in the literature.