Selective and Environment Friendly Methodologies Based on the Use of Electrochemistry for Fine Chemical Preparation: an Efficient Synthesis of N,N' -Disubstituted Urea

A novel efficient synthesis of N,N'-disubstituted ureas has been developed.Aromatic and aliphatic primary amines undergo oxidative carbonylation under atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide, using Pd(II)catalyst in combination with its anodic recycling at a graphite electrode.