Aniline → Methyl phenylcarbamate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

838 g aniline, 676 g methyl carbamate, 1442 g methanol and 30.0 g anhydrous pulverized zinc chloride were introduced into the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel and the column were then purged with nitrogen. The mixture was subsequently heated (with stirring) to 190° C., and the top valve of the column was adjusted so that the pressure in the apparatus was just sufficient for the reactants to reach the reaction temperature. Ammonia which evolved was separated from the evaporating alcohol in the column and then removed from the top of the column. The reaction mixture was stirred for 6.5 hours at 190° C., while the ammonia which evolved was removed. The mixture was then cooled and removed from the pressure vessel after the pressure in the apparatus had been reduced. The mixture was filtered and then distilled at atmospheric pressure to remove the excess methanol. The product was then fractionally distilled at 0.2 m bar. 1120 g N-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester (82.3% of the theoretical yield) were collected and crystallized. The product had a melting point of 45° to 46° C.

Provenance & Evidence