W(CO)6-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of primary amines to N,N′-disubstituted ureas in single or biphasic solvent systems.: Optimization and functional group compatibility studies

Primary amines undergo carbonylation to N,N'-disubstituted ureas using W(CO)(6) as the catalyst, IZ as the oxidant, and CO as the carbonyl source. Preparation of various N,N'-disubstituted ureas from aliphatic primary amines, RNH2 (R = n-Pr, n-Bu, i-Pr, sec-Bu, or t-Bu), was achieved in good to excellent yields. Studies of functional group compatibility using a series of substituted benzylamines demonstrated broad tolerance of functionality during the carbonylation reaction. Preparation of various N,N'-disubstituted ureas from substituted benzylamines, R-C6H4CH2NH2 (R = H, p-OCH3, p-CO2H, p-CO2Et, p-CH2OH, p-SCH3, p-vinyl, p-Cl, p-Br, m-I, p-NH2, p-NO2, or p-CN), was achieved in good yields. For many substituted benzylamines, yields of ureas were higher when a two-phase CH2Cl2/H(2)o solvent system was used.