A Facile and Efficient Method for the Formation of Unsymmetrical Ureas Using DABAL-Me₃

A practical synthetic method for the formation of unsymmetrical-substituted ureas is described. The synthesis of the unsymmetrical ureas was readily performed from 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbamate compounds by treatment of amines with bis(trimethylaluminum)-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABAL-Me3). Using this reaction protocol, various trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted ureas were synthesized in high yields. This study offers a promising approach for the facile synthesis of a variety of unsymmetrical ureas from 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbamates.