The selective reaction of primary amines with carbonyl imidazole containing compounds: Selective amide and carbamate synthesis

[GRAPHICS] A new highly selective synthesis of amides and carbamates is described. In both cases the syntheses involve the formation of carbonyl imidazole interm ediates which subsequently undergo previously unreported selective reaction s with primary amines, Acid imidazolides with sufficient chain length will exclusively react with primary amines even in the presence of secondary and tertiary functionality, The imidazole carboxylic esters of secondary or te rtiary alcohols also react selectively with primary amines, forming control led carbamate structures.