PURPOSE: To obtain a compound useful as an agricultural chemical raw material and an isocyanate precursor under low pressure and in high yield without using aniline as a raw material, by using a specific catalyst and a nitrogen-containing organic compound containing a nitro, nitroso, azo or azoxy group as a raw material.

CONSTITUTION: A nitrogen-containing organic compound containing a nitro, nitroso, azo or azoxy group is reacted with a hydroxyl group-containing compound, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst to give the aimed compound. A transition metal (Pd, Pt, Rh or Ru) belonging to the platinum group of group VII of the periodic table or a salt thereof and a complex of a monovalent copper salt, a trivalent titanium salt or vanadium salt are used as the catalyst and the reaction is carried out at 60W230°C under CO pressure of normal pressureW100atm., preferably 150W170°C under 5W40atm. Isocyanate is useful as a raw material for urethane products such as nonrigid and rigid foam, coating compound, waterproofing agent, adhesive and elastic fibers.