Oxidative carbonylation of amine using water-soluble palladium catalysts in biphasic media

▶ Easy separation of urea, catalyst and organics from reaction mixture. ▶ Biphasic system employing water soluble Pd complex catalyst. ▶ Catalytic system robust under oxidation conditions. ▶ Catalyst recycled up to five times retaining ∼98% of original activity. ▶ Over 95% conversion of aniline with 90% selectivity of urea.