Process for preparing N-aryl or N-aralkyl substituted urethanes

N-aryl and N-aralkyl substituted urethanes can be produced by reacting an aryl or aralkyl primary amino compound having a nitro group, a nitroso group or a carbamate group, an organic compound having at least one hydroxyl group, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic system composed of a metal and/or a compound thereof chosen from palladium, rhodium and ruthenium and compounds thereof serving as catalyst and a Lewis acid and/or a compound thereof as promoter under elevated temperature and high pressure conditions. For instance, the reaction of 2-amino -4-nitrotoluene, ethanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of palladium chloride and a ferrous chloride-pyridine complex under high temperature and high pressure conditions can yield 2,4-diethylcarbamatetoluene.