Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Formamides with Salicylaldehydes: Synthesis of Carbamates in the Presence of a Sensitive Aldehyde Group

A diverse library of novel carbamates was synthesized utilizing copper-catalyzed oxidative C-O coupling of formamides and salicylaldehydes. Sensitive aldehyde groups remained intact in the presence of an oxidant and a transition-metal salt. Salicylaldehydes bearing electron-donating, electron-withdrawing, and halogen groups as well as 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehydes provided the desired carbamates in good to excellent yields.