Selenium-Catalyzed Oxidative Carbonylation of Aniline and Alcohols to <i>N</i>-Phenylcarbamates

Abstract

A facile one-pot, phosgene-free synthesis of N-phenylcarbamates is demonstrated. Catalyzed by selenium, oxidative carbonylation of aniline with alcohols in the presence of carbon monoxide and oxygen affords the corresponding N-phenylcarbamates, mostly in fair to good yields. Selenium can be easily recovered because of its phase-transfer catalysis function.