Reductive Alkylation of Urea: A Practical Route to Substituted Ureas.

Abstract Conditions are disclosed for the formation of either mono- or di-substituted ureas by reductive alkylation, which are readily adaptable to large scale preparations. Dehydrating agents such as acetyl chloride or trimethylsilyl chloride effectively promote the condensation of ureas and aldehydes. Reduction of the adducts affords the mono- or di-substituted ureas in high yields.