Isocyanates, derivatives, and processes for producing the same

The present invention is directed to processes for producing isocyanates and isocyanate derivatives from epoxide and carbon monoxide reagents. In preferred embodiments, the processes include a step for providing carbonylation of an epoxide reagent with a carbon monoxide reagent to produce a beta-lactone intermediate. In certain preferred embodiments, further carbonylation of a beta-lactone intermediate produces a succinic anhydride intermediate. The processes of the present invention include steps for rearranging beta-lactone intermediates and/or succinic anhydride intermediates to produce isocyanate products and/or isocyanate derivatives. In certain preferred embodiments, the isocyanate products may be copolymerized with polyol oligomers to provide polyurethane products.