Efficient Synthesis of N,N′‐Disubstituted Ureas/Thioureas Catalyzed by Iodine

Abstract

Iodine is an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of symmetrically N,N′‐disubstituted ureas/thioureas by heating respective amines or phenyl hydrazine and urea/thiourea on a preheated hot plate at 90–95°C, under solvent‐free conditions. The yields are excellent, and the reactions go to complete within 5–10 min.

Keywords:

• Amines
• iodine
• N,N′‐disubstituted urea/thiourea
• phenyl hydrazine

Acknowledgment

One of the authors, V. P. Jayashankara, wishes to thank Mrs. Faheemunnisa, assistant mistress, Government Model Higher Primary School, Aswathnagar, Bangalore Karnataka, India, for the encouragement.