Novel one-pot synthesis of symmetrically substituted ureas.

We demonstrated a novel, facile, high-yield, and efficient one-pot approach for the synthesis of symmetrically disubstituted ureas from isocyanates in the presence of trimethylsilanol. This novel protocol boasts the use of inexpensive reagents, operational simplicity, excellent yields of products, environmentally friendly conditions, and easy workup. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the synthesis of symmetrically disubstituted ureas from isocyanates in the presence of trimethylsilanol in one pot. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]