Synthesis 2007(20): 3135-3140  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990793
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Solvent-Free Synthesis of Urea Derivatives from Primary Amines and Sulfur under Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen at Atmospheric Pressure

Takumi Mizuno*, Masatoshi Mihara, Takeo Nakai, Toshiyuki Iwai, Takatoshi Ito
Osaka Municipal Technical Research Institute, 1-6-50, Morinomiya, Joto-ku, Osaka 536-8553, Japan
Fax: +81(6)69638049; e-Mail: tmizuno@omtri.city.osaka.jp;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 June 2007
Publication Date:
21 September 2007 (online)

Abstract

A solvent-free carbonylation and oxidation system aimed at green and sustainable chemistry was developed. With these reactions, an environmentally benign synthesis of urea derivatives could be carried out in good to excellent yields from primary amines and sulfur at ambient pressure of carbon monoxide and oxy­gen. For example, N,N′-dioctylurea was prepared in 99% yield from two equivalents octylamine and one equivalent sulfur in the presence of carbon monoxide (1 atm) at 80 °C and oxygen (1 atm) at room temperature, in the complete absence of solvent.