Synthesis of carbodiimides by I2/CHP-mediated cross-coupling reaction of isocyanides with amines under metal-free conditions.

An I2/CHP-mediated cross-coupling reaction of isocyanides with readily accessible amines via C-N formation is described for carbodiimide synthesis in moderate to excellent yields. This represents a metal-free strategy for a coupling reaction of isocyanides with amines, and it provides an efficient approach for symmetric and unsymmetric functionalized carbodiimide derivative synthesis under mild conditions.