Formation of alkylurethanes from carbon dioxide by regioselective O-alkylation of alkali-metal N,N-diethylcarbamates in the presence of complexing agents
Abstract
Alkali-metal N,N-diethylcarbamates [M(O2CNEt2); M = Li, Na, or K] undergo N-alkylation with MeI, giving tertiary amine and carbon dioxide, in addition to MI; however, O-alkylation with formation of alkylurethane occurs preferentially in the presence of a polyfunctional complexing agent.