Phosgene oxime can be prepared by reduction of chloropicrin using a combination of tin metal and hydrochloric acid as the source of the active hydrogen reducing agent:
The observation of a transient violet color in the reaction suggests intermediate formation of trichloronitrosomethane (ClCNO). Early preparations, using stannous chloride as the reductant, also started with chloropicrin.
The compound is electrophilic and thus sensitive to nucleophiles, including bases, which destroy it:
Phosgene oxime has been used to prepare heterocycles that contain N-O bonds, such as isoxazoles.
Dehydrohalogenation upon contact with mercuric oxide generates chlorine fulminate, a reactive nitrile oxide: