New and simple synthesis of acid azides, ureas and carbamates from carboxylic acids: application of peptide coupling agents EDC and HBTU

Conversion of carboxylic acids into acid azides using peptide coupling agents, EDC and HBTU is described. The procedure is efficient, practical and applicable to a diverse range of carboxylic acids including N-protected amino acids. Using the same reagents, one-pot synthesis of ureas, dipeptidyl urea esters and carbamates from acids has also been achieved.