A high-yielding, expeditious, and multicomponent synthesis of urea and carbamate derivatives by using triphenylphosphine/trichloroisocyanuric acid system

An efficient method for the synthesis of urea and carbamate derivatives from amines and alcohols is described by using triphenylphosphine (PPh₃)/trichloroisocyanuric acid system. The protocol allows for the preparation of symmetrical, unsymmetrical di, tri-, and tetra-substituted ureas and carbamates and is tolerant of a wide range of functional groups. To optimize the reaction conditions, experimental variables including temperature, the concentration of amine and alcohol, solvent, and reaction time were studied. Satisfactory yields were obtained at the optimized conditions. The present methodology is experimentally simple, mild, and represents a valuable alternative to the existing methods.