Carbon Dioxide as a Carbonylating Agent in the Synthesis of 2-Oxazolidinones, 2-Oxazinones, and Cyclic Ureas: Scope and Limitations

Carbon dioxide can be used as a convenient carbonylating agent in the synthesis of 2-oxazolidinones, 2-oxazinones, and cyclic ureas. The transient carbamate anion generated by treating a primary or secondary amine group in basic media can be activated with phosphorylating agents such as Diphenylphosphoryl azide (DPPA) and Diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPPCl) but also with other types of electrophiles such as SOCl2, TsCl, or AcCl. The intramolecular trapping of the activated carbamate by a hydroxyl group leads to the formation of 2-oxazolidinones or 2-oxazinones in good to excellent yields. This methodology was successfully applied to the synthesis of cyclic ureas up to 7-membered rings from the corresponding diamines.