Structure and reactivity of carbamates

The bifunctional character of carbamates not only predetermines the reactio ns occurring with amides or esters of carboxylic acids, but also their spec ific chemical properties. Carbamates are suitable protecting groups in the synthesis of amines and peptides. The review gives the most important struc ture characteristics of carbamates, their ionization and thermolysis. Examp les of typical nucleophilic and electrophilic reactions of carbamates as we ll as their use in organic synthesis are given, both published in the last decade.