Preparation of substituted semicarbazides from corresponding amines and hydrazines via phenyl carbamates

•Mild reaction conditions for the preparation of substituted semicarbazides.•The preparation method applicable to structurally diverse semicarbazides.•Building semicarbazide library from amines, hydrazines, and phenyl chloroformate.

A simple synthetic procedure for the conversion of amines and hydrazines into substituted semicarbazides was developed. The initial condensation between the desired amine and phenyl chloroformate into phenyl carbamate is followed by the addition of hydrazine under basic conditions. The reaction is tolerable to a variety of functional groups, with mild conditions and high percent yields.

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