Green and efficient synthesis of dibenzyl cyanamides and ureas with cyanamide as a block.

A method for the two-step synthesis of dibenzyl cyanamide and dibenzyl urea cyanamide is presented. This approach is both efficient and environmentally friendly. Various ,-dibenzyl ureas could be obtained by reactions of ,-dibenzyl cyanamides and ,-dibenzyl cyanamides as intermediates formed from cyanamide. In the absence of metal, ligand and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant, products with moderate yields have been obtained under mild conditions. Key features include the use of widely available and easily handled cyanamide sources as starting materials.