Bromodimethylsulfonium bromide (BDMS)-mediated Lossen rearrangement: synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas

Bromodimethylsulfonium bromide (BDMS) was found to be a very efficient reagent for Lossen rearrangement of hydroxamic acids to the corresponding isocyanates which were subsequently trapped in situ with various amines to afford unsymmetrical ureas in good to excellent yields (64-89%). The protocol is experimentally simple, mild, and represents valuable alternative to the existing methods for in situ activation of hydroxamic acids promoting Lossen rearrangement.