Solvent-free catalytic synthesis of ureas from amines and carbon dioxide under atmospheric pressure using oxovanadium(V) catalyst with silylating reagent

Abstract Efficient utilization of carbon dioxide for the synthesis of valuable compounds is considered to be essential for the future sustainable society. Herein, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide, which acts not only as a silylating reagent but also as a reaction solvent, was demonstrated to facilitate the solvent-free catalytic synthesis of ureas in 1-step from amines and carbon dioxide under atmospheric pressure using a commercially available air-stable NH4VO3 catalyst. This catalytic system was applicable to a wide range of substrate and a gram-scale reaction. One-step preferential synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas was also realized.