Copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of formamides with salicylaldehydes: synthesis of carbamates in the presence of a sensitive aldehyde group.

A diverse library of novel carbamates was synthesized utilizing copper-catalyzed oxidative C-O coupling of formamides and salicylaldehydes. Sensitive aldehyde groups remained intact in the presence of an oxidant and a transition-metal salt. Salicylaldehydes bearing electron-donating, electron-withdrawing, and halogen groups as well as 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehydes provided the desired carbamates in good to excellent yields.