Boc-protected amines via a mild and efficient one-pot Curtius rearrangement

The reaction of a carboxylic acid with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate and sodium azide allowed the formation of an acyl azide intermediate, which undergoes a Curtius rearrangement in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide and zinc(II) triflate. The trapping of the isocyanate derivative in the reaction mixture led to the desired tert-butyl carbamate in high yields at low temperature. These reaction conditions are compatible with a variety of substrates, including malonate derivatives, which provide access to protected amino acids.