Synthesis, thermal reactivity and kinetics of substituted [(benzoyl)(phenylcarbamoyl)methylene]triphenylphosphoranes and their thiocarbamoyl analogues

A range of 16 substituted benzoyl/arylcarbamoyl and benzoyl/arylthiocarbamoyl stabilised ylides have been prepared. They are found under conditions of flash vacuum pyrolysis to fragment giving a benzoyl ylide and aryl isocyanate or isothiocyanate accompanied in some cases by secondary pyrolysis products. Kinetic studies show the thiocarbamoyl ylides to react consistently faster than their carbamoyl analogues and substituent effects suggest a polar cyclic transition state, which involves attack by the benzoyl oxygen on the carbamoyl/thiocarbamoyl NH.