A Novel Method for the Synthesis of Isocyanates Under Mild Conditions

Abstract

Not the amine‐ N ‐Boc derivatives, but the isocyanates form in the reaction of alkyl‐ or arylamines with di‐ tert ‐butyl dicarbonate ((Boc) 2 O) in the presence of a catalytic amount of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) according to Equation (a). The procedure provides a simple laboratory method of generating sterically hindered alkyl and aryl isocyanates without the use of phosgene. equation image