A non-phosgene route for synthesis of methyl N-phenyl carbamate derived from CO2 under mild conditions

A non-phosgene route for the synthesis of methyl N-phenyl carbamate from dimethyl carbonate and N,N'-diphenyl urea was studied under the mild conditions of atmospheric pressure. A series of homogenous and heterogenous catalysts were screened, and the homogenous catalyst sodium methoxide exhibited excellent activity in the synthesis of methyl N-phenyl carbamate under atmospheric pressure. The parameters of molar ratio of reactants, catalyst concentration, reaction time, number of additions of catalyst, reaction temperature and solvents in the synthesis of methyl N-phenyl carbamate were also investigated. A possible reaction mechanism with catalyst sodium methoxide was proposed.