Process for preparing aromatic urethanes

Aromatic urethanes can be produced by interacting an aromatic 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 platinum group metal and/or a compound thereof serving as catalyst and a Lewis acid and/or a compound thereof as promoter under high temperature and high pressure conditions. For instance, the interaction 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.