One-pot, three-step preparation of alkyl and aryl alkylcarbamates from S-methyl N-alkylthiocarbamates

A general procedure for the synthesis of alkyl and aryl alkylcarbamates starting from the corresponding S-methyl N-alkyl-thiocarbarnates is described. This procedure consists of three steps that are carried out in a one-pot fashion, without isolating the intermediate N-alkylcarbamoyl chlorides or alkyl isocyanates. All the target products were obtained in high yields (16 examples, average yield 91%). To be noted is the recovery of a co-product of industrial interest, dimethyl disulfide, in a half mole amount for each mole of thiocarbamate, with complete exploitation of the reagent. The alkyl isocyanates, if required, can also be isolated in high yields.