One-pot conversion of trimethylsilyl ethers into urethanes using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate: Application to the synthesis of a novel neuromodulator carisbamate

This paper reports a novel synthetic method for the preparation of various urethanes and the application to the synthesis of carisbamate. The reaction of primary (2a, 2e and 2f) or secondary (2g-2i) trimethylsilyl ethers with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate afforded the corresponding urethanes in good yields without affecting the olefin moiety. However, in the case of secondary benzylic trimethylsilyl ether 2j, the corresponding urethane 3j was obtained in low yield. From the difference in reactivity between the primary and secondary benzylic trimethylsilyl ethers, the one-pot synthesis of carisbamate 1 from bis-trimethylsilyl ether 2l was achieved.