Cobalt(II)‐Catalyzed Isocyanide Insertion Reaction with Amines under Ultrasonic Conditions: A Divergent Synthesis of Ureas, Thioureas and Azaheterocycles

Abstract

Abstract Cobalt(II) acetylacetonate‐catalyzed isocyanide insertion reactions with amines utilizing tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant under ultrasound conditions have been developed, which lead to the synthesis of ureas, thioureas, as well as 2‐aminobenzimidazoles, 2‐aminobenzothiazoles, and 2‐aminobenzoxazoles under the general reaction conditions in up to 96% yields, respectively. The intermediate amino methylidyneaminiums, initiated by cobalt(II) acetylacetonate‐catalyzed reactions of isocyanides with amines, could be easily trapped by different nucleophiles such as water, sulfur, and intramolecular nucleophilic functional groups. This method provides a simple, general and practical protocol for the divergent synthesis of ureas, thioureas and azaheterocycles. magnified image