Organic ligand and solvent free oxidative carbonylation of amine over Pd/TiO₂ with unprecedented activity

A highly active Pd/TiO₂ catalyst system was prepared and applied in the oxidative carbonylation of amines to ureas with ultra-low Pd content under organic ligand and solvent free conditions. The catalytic turnover frequencies (TOFs, moles of amines converted per mole of Pd per h) were 126000 and 250000 h^-1 for the production of diphenylurea and dibenzylurea, respectively. An expanded substrate scope including the electron-rich and electron-deficient anilines, primary aliphatic amines, secondary amines was also established. This work offers a straightforward, step economic, and green methodology for the efficient synthesis of valuable ureas.