Transition Metal-Free Synthesis of Carbamates Using CO as the Carbon Source.

Utilization of carbon dioxide as a C1 synthon is highly attractive for the synthesis of valuable chemicals. However, activation of CO is highly challenging, owing to its thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness. With this in mind, several strategies have been developed for the generation of carbon-heteroatom bonds. Among these, formation of C-N bonds is highly attractive, especially, when carbamates can be synthesized directly from CO . This Minireview focuses on transition metal-free approaches for the fixation of CO to generate carbamates for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Within the past decade, transition metal-free approaches have gained increasing attention, but traditional reviews have rarely focused on these approaches. Direct comparisons between such methods have been even more scarce. This Minireview seeks to address this discrepancy.