Selective Catalytic Oxidative Carbonylation of Amino Alcohols to Ureas

Amino alcohols undergo W(CO)₆-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation to the corresponding hydroxyalkylureas without protection of the hydroxyl group. Selected examples of 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, and 1,5-amino alcohols were converted to the ureas in good to excellent yields, with only small amounts of the cyclic carbamates being formed. In contrast, the phosgene derivatives CDI and DMDTC undergo stoichiometric reactions with the amino alcohol substrates to afford ureas and cyclic carbamates with variable selectivity.