Assembly of N,N-disubstituted-N′-arylureas via a copper-catalyzed one-pot three-component reaction of aryl bromides, potassium cyanate, and secondary amines

A three-component reaction of aryl bromides, potassium cyanate, and secondary amines takes place at 110 °C in MeCN under the catalysis of Cu2O and 2-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)-2-oxoacetic acid potassium salt, giving N,N-disubstituted-N′-arylureas in good to excellent yields. A number of functionalized aryl bromides and secondary amines were compatible with these conditions, and thereby providing a facile method for diverse synthesis of trisubstituted ureas.