Abstract
Abstract The formation of isocyanate by thermal decomposition of acyl azides prepared from acyl halide and sodium azide is generally known as the Curtius rearrangement. Some evidence has been found in supporting the stepwise mechanism of this reaction. The Curtius rearrangement occurs with complete retention of configuration at the migrating carbon, and the migration from the carbon to the nitrogen atom is an irreversible intramolecular reaction in first order kinetics. The Curtius rearrangement has been used for the preparation of noncommercially available isocyantes from a diverse assortment of carboxylic acids. In addition, this rearrangement is good for the preparation of tetrazoles, cyanamides, oxazolidones, etc. It has also been found that benzenesulfonyl azide also undergoes a similar rearrangement and gives a sulfurylaniline intermediate. The Curtius rearrangement has been modified using phase‐transfer catalysis and Shiori reagent.
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