Reactivity of N-pyridylcarbamates in basic media

Abstract

New secondary aryl N-pyridylcarbamates were prepared by reaction of the aminopyridine anion with aryl chloroformates and their hydrolysis was studied over the pH range from 12 to 13.7. The pH–rate profile points to an E1cB mechanism, involving pre-equilibrium deprotonation of the nitrogen atom to form an anion that undergoes rate-limiting decomposition into pyridyl isocyanate and a phenoxide ion. Further reaction of the highly reactive isocyanate with water affords N-pyridylcarbamic acid, which spontaneously decomposes to aminopyridine and carbon dioxide. The absence of significant base catalysis and the isolation of a new product resulting from trapping of the intermediate with the base piperidine are also consistent with an elimination–addition mechanism. Finally the observed substituent effect (σ⁻) gives ρ 2.45 which is in accordance with a rate-determining departure of the phenoxide group from the anion intermediate formed in a pre-equilibrium step. Blocking the E1cb mechanism of the secondary carbamates by introduction of N,N-disubstitution in the substrate led to a rate-limiting decrease of ca. 10⁶.