Thermal decomposition of methyl 2-azidopropionate studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy and matrix isolation IR spectroscopy: heterocyclic intermediate vs imine formation

Methyl 2-azidopropionate (N(3)CH(3)CHCOOCH(3), M2AP) has been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic methods, and the thermal decomposition of this molecule has been investigated by matrix isolation infrared (IR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UVPES). Computational methods have been employed in the spectral simulation of both UVPES and matrix IR spectra and in the rationalization of the thermal decomposition results. M2AP presents a HOMO vertical ionization energy (VIE) of 9.60 ± 0.03 eV and contributions from all four lowest-energy conformations of this molecule are detected in the gas phase. Its thermal decomposition starts at ca. 400 °C and is complete at ca. 650 °C, yielding N(2), CO, CO(2), CH(3)CN, and CH(3)OH as the final decomposition products. Methyl formate (MF) and CH(4) are also found during the pyrolysis process. Analysis of the potential energy surface of the decomposition of M2AP indicates that M2AP decomposes preferentially into the corresponding imine (M2IP), through a 1,2-H shift synchronous with the N(2) elimination (Type 1 mechanism), requiring an activation energy of 160.8 kJ/mol. The imine further decomposes via two competitive routes: one accounting for CO, CH(3)OH, and CH(3)CN (ΔE(G3) = 260.2 kJ/mol) and another leading to CO(2), CH(4), and CH(3)CN (ΔE(G3) = 268.6 kJ/mol). A heterocyclic intermediate (Type 2 mechanism)-4-Me-5-oxazolidone-can also be formed from M2AP via H transfer from the remote O-CH(3) group, together with the N(2) elimination (ΔE(G3) = 260.2 kJ/mol). Finally, a third pathway which accounts for the formation of MF through an M2AP isomer is envisioned.     

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photodecomposition of urea isolated in cryogenic matrix: first detection of isourea

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation at wavelengths of lambda > 160 nm of urea-h4 (NH2CONH2) and urea-d4 (ND2COND2) has been monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in argon and xenon matrixes. Several primary photoproducts, such as HNCO:NH3 (isocyanic acid:ammonia), CO:N2H4 (carbon monoxide:hydrazine) molecular complexes, and isourea (H2N(OH)C=NH), which is reported for the first time, were characterized. The assignment of complexes was achieved by co-depositing the pairs of respective species, whereas the isourea identification was based on the comparison between the experimental and theoretical (B3LYP) infrared spectra. Isourea is found in the argon matrix in its most stable (s-Z)-(E) configuration. It is an intermediate in the VUV decomposition process; its dehydration leads to the NH2CN:H2O complex. In the xenon matrix, the photochemistry of urea yields the HNCO:NH3 complex as a major product, whereas the CO:N2H4 complex is observed in trace amounts. The observed differences between the argon and xenon matrixes suggest the crossing between S1 and T1 potential surfaces of urea to be responsible for the formation of the HNCO:NH3 complex. A comparison is also performed with other carboxamides, such as formamide (HCONH2) or acetamide (CH3CONH2).     

二氧化碳: 一种同时提供亲核中心保护和亲电中心活化的试剂 XI:2-取代四氢噻唑的新合成方法

四氢噻唑和正丁基锂反应生成的N-锂代四氢噻唑(2)与二氧化碳作用生成N-羟酸锂盐3; 3然后在叔丁基锂作用下失去2-位质子形成相应的2-位碳阴离子4; 该碳阴离子和一系列亲电试剂反应, 并在酸性条件下除去保护基团得产物-2-取代四氢噻唑7. 在此过程中, 二氧化碳既是氨基的保护基团, 同时又活化了2-位亲电中心.此方法不需分离各步中间体, 产率中等.     

SiO2—Al2O3和MgO催化剂上吸附CH3NO2的TPD和IR研究

用TPD和IR方法研究了CH_3NO_2在典型固体酸SiO_2-Al_2O_3和固体碱MgO催化剂上的吸附分解。结果表明,在SiO_2-Al_2O_3表面CH_3NO_2吸附转化为表面甲酰胺物种,后者在高温下分解为CO_2和NH_3。在MgO表面CH_3NO_2吸附形成多种表面化学物种,它们在升温过程中脱附,并通过表面亚硝基甲烷物种分解为NO、C_2H_4、C_2H_6和N_2O.讨论了CH_3NO_2分解过程中表面酸、碱中心的作用。     

Competing channels in the thermal decomposition of azidoacetone studied by pyrolysis in combination with molecular beam mass spectrometric techniques

The thermal decomposition of azidoacetone (CH3COCH2N3) was studied using a combined experimental and computational approach. Flash pyrolysis at a range of temperatures (296-1250 K) was used to induce thermal decomposition, and the resulting products were expanded into a molecular beam and subsequently analyzed using electron bombardment ionization coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The advantages of this technique are that the parent molecules spend a very short time in the pyrolysis zone (20-30 mus) and that the subsequent expansion permits the stabilization of thermal products that are not observable using conventional pyrolysis methods. A detailed analysis of the mass spectra as a function of pyrolysis temperature revealed the participation of five thermal decomposition channels. Ab initio calculations on the stable structures and transition states of the azidoacetone system in combination with an analysis of the dissociative ionization pattern of each channel allowed the identity and mechanism of each channel to be elucidated. At low temperatures (296-800 K) the azide decomposes principally by the loss of N2 to yield the imine (CH3COCHNH), which can further decompose to CH3CO and CHNH. At low and intermediate temperatures a process involving the loss of N2 to yield CH3CHO and HCN is also open. Finally, at high temperatures (800-1250 K) a channel in which the azide decomposes to a stable cyclic amine (CO(CH2)2NH) (after loss of N2) is active. The last channel involves subsequent thermal decomposition of this cyclic amine to ketene (H2CCO) and methanimine (H2CNH).     

Mixed unsymmetric oxadiazoline and/or imine platinum(II) complexes

Iminoacylation of acetone oxime Me(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH upon reaction with trans-[PtCl(2)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)(2)] and [2 + 3] cycloaddition of acyclic nitrone (-)O(+)N(Me) = C(H)(C(6)H(4)Me-4) to a nitrile ligand in lead to the formation of mono-imine trans-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] [imine-a = NH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ON = CMe(2)] and mono-oxadiazoline trans-[PtCl(2)(oxadiazoline-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] [oxadiazoline-a = [upper bond 1 start]N[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ON(Me)C[upper bond 1 end](H)(C(6)H(4)Me-4)] unsymmetric mixed ligand complexes, respectively, as the main products. Reactions of or with acetone oxime , cyclic nitrone (-)O(+)N = CHCH(2)CH(2)C[upper bond 1 end]Me(2) or N,N-diethylhydroxylamine give access, in moderate to good yields, to the unsymmetric mixed ligand oxadiazoline and/or imine complexes trans-[PtCl(2)(oxadiazoline-a)(imine-a)] , trans-[PtCl(2)(oxadiazoline-a)(oxadiazoline-b)] [oxadiazoline-b = [upper bond 1 start]N[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)O[lower bond 1 start]NC[upper bond 1 end](H)CH(2)CH(2)C[lower bond 1 end]Me(2)], trans-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(imine-b)] [imine-b = NH = C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ONEt(2)] or trans-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(oxadiazoline-b)] . The cis mono-imine mixed ligand complex cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] is the major product from the reaction of cis-[PtCl(2)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)(2)] with the oxime , while the di-imine compound cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(2)] is a minor product. Reaction of cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] with N,N-diethylhydroxylamine or the cyclic nitrone affords, in good yields, the unsymmetric mixed ligand complexes cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(imine-b)] or cis-[PtCl(2)(imine-a)(oxadiazoline-b)] , respectively. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and (1)H, (13)C and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies, and FAB(+)-MS. The X-ray structural analysis of trans-[PtCl(2){NH=C(CH(2)CO(2)Me)ON=CMe(2)}(NCCH(2)CO(2)Me)] is also reported.     

CH3＋HNCO反应机理的理论研究

在6-311＋＋G**基组水平上,采用UMP2方法对自由基CH3与HNCO反应机理进行了研究，全参数优化了反应通道上各驻点的几何构型.结果表明, 自由基CH3与HNCO分子间反应有三条反应通道,第一为CH3与HNCO分子间经过生成一个稳定化能为4.56 kJ•mol－1的含氢键的分子复合物M后，经过渡态TS生成另一个产物复合物M′，然后分解为甲烷和NCO自由基；第二是CH3与HNCO分子间通过生成稳定反式中间体trans-int，其经过渡态trans-ts分解成产物CH3NH和CO；第三是CH3与HNCO分子间通过生成稳定顺式中间体cis-int，其经过渡态cis-ts分解成产物CH3NH和CO.比较三条反应通道的反应活化能，表明CH3与HNCO反应较易生成CH4＋NCO.     

Thermal decomposition mechanisms of the methoxyphenols: formation of phenol, cyclopentadienone, vinylacetylene, and acetylene

The pyrolyses of the guaiacols or methoxyphenols (o-, m-, and p-HOC(6)H(4)OCH(3)) have been studied using a heated SiC microtubular (μ-tubular) reactor. The decomposition products are detected by both photoionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (PIMS) and matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy (IR). Gas exiting the heated SiC μ-tubular reactor is subject to a free expansion after a residence time of approximately 50-100 μs. The PIMS reveals that, for all three guaiacols, the initial decomposition step is loss of methyl radical: HOC(6)H(4)OCH(3) → HOC(6)H(4)O + CH(3). Decarbonylation of the HOC(6)H(4)O radical produces the hydroxycyclopentadienyl radical, C(5)H(4)OH. As the temperature of the μ-tubular reactor is raised to 1275 K, the C(5)H(4)OH radical loses a H atom to produce cyclopentadienone, C(5)H(4)═O. Loss of CO from cyclopentadienone leads to the final products, acetylene and vinylacetylene: C(5)H(4)═O → [CO + 2 HC≡CH] or [CO + HC≡C-CH═CH(2)]. The formation of C(5)H(4)═O, HCCH, and CH(2)CHCCH is confirmed with IR spectroscopy. In separate studies of the (1 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra, we observe the presence of C(6)H(5)OH in the molecular beam: C(6)H(5)OH + λ(275.1?nm) → [C(6)H(5)OH ?] + λ(275.1nm) → C(6)H(5)OH(+). From the REMPI and PIMS signals and previous work on methoxybenzene, we suggest that phenol results from a radical/radical reaction: CH(3) + C(5)H(4)OH → [CH(3)-C(5)H(4)OH]* → C(6)H(5)OH + 2H.     

The products of the thermal decomposition of CH3CHO

We have used a heated 2 cm × 1 mm SiC microtubular (μtubular) reactor to decompose acetaldehyde: CH(3)CHO + Δ → products. Thermal decomposition is followed at pressures of 75-150 Torr and at temperatures up to 1675 K, conditions that correspond to residence times of roughly 50-100 μs in the μtubular reactor. The acetaldehyde decomposition products are identified by two independent techniques: vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectroscopy (PIMS) and infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy after isolation in a cryogenic matrix. Besides CH(3)CHO, we have studied three isotopologues, CH(3)CDO, CD(3)CHO, and CD(3)CDO. We have identified the thermal decomposition products CH(3) (PIMS), CO (IR, PIMS), H (PIMS), H(2) (PIMS), CH(2)CO (IR, PIMS), CH(2)=CHOH (IR, PIMS), H(2)O (IR, PIMS), and HC≡CH (IR, PIMS). Plausible evidence has been found to support the idea that there are at least three different thermal decomposition pathways for CH(3)CHO; namely, radical decomposition: CH(3)CHO + Δ → CH(3) + [HCO] → CH(3) + H + CO; elimination: CH(3)CHO + Δ → H(2) + CH(2)=C=O; isomerization∕elimination: CH(3)CHO + Δ → [CH(2)=CH-OH] → HC≡CH + H(2)O. An interesting result is that both PIMS and IR spectroscopy show compelling evidence for the participation of vinylidene, CH(2)=C:, as an intermediate in the decomposition of vinyl alcohol: CH(2)=CH-OH + Δ → [CH(2)=C:] + H(2)O → HC≡CH + H(2)O.     

Photochemical dehydration of acetamide in a cryogenic matrix

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation of acetamide has been monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in argon matrix at 10 K. Several primary photoproducts, including HNCO ratio CH(4) and CO ratio CH(3)NH(2) molecular complexes, and acetimidic acid, which is reported for the first time, were characterized. The acetimidic acid identification was based on comparison between the experimental and theoretical (B3LYP) infrared spectra. Acetimidic acid is found in argon matrix in the (s-Z)-(E) and (s-Z)-(Z) configurations. It is also an intermediate in the VUV decomposition process, its dehydration leads to the formation of CH(3)CN ratio H(2)O molecular complex. The assignment of the complex was achieved by co-depositing the pairs of respective species and by ab initio calculation.     

Reactivity of bis(2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disila-1-azacyclopent-1-yl)tin with CO(2), OCS, and CS(2) and comparison to that of bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]tin

The heterocumulenes carbon dioxide (CO(2)), carbonyl sulfide (OCS), and carbon disulfide (CS(2)) were treated with bis(2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disila-1-azacyclopent-1-yl)tin {[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn, an analogue of the well-studied bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]tin species [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)Sn, to yield an unexpectedly diverse product slate. Reaction of {[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn with CO(2) resulted in the formation of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disila-1-oxacyclopentane, along with Sn(4)(μ(4)-O){μ(2)-O(2)CN[SiMe(2)(CH(2))(2)]}(4)(μ(2)-N═C═O)(2) as the primary organometallic Sn-containing product. The reaction of {[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn with CS(2) led to formal reduction of CS(2) to [CS(2)](2-), yielding [{[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn](2)CS(2){[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn, in which the [CS(2)](2-) is coordinated through C and S to two tin centers. The product [{[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn](2)CS(2){[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn also contains a novel 4-membered Sn-Sn-C-S ring, and exhibits a further bonding interaction through sulfur to a third Sn atom. Reaction of OCS with {[(CH(2))Me(2)Si](2)N}(2)Sn resulted in an insoluble polymeric material. In a comparison reaction, [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)Sn was treated with OCS to yield Sn(4)(μ(4)-O)(μ(2)-OSiMe(3))(5)(η(1)-N═C═S). A combination of NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the products of each reaction. The oxygen atoms in the final products come from the facile cleavage of either CO(2) or OCS, depending on the reacting carbon dichalogenide.     

Synthetic applications of (Me3SiNSN)2E (E = S, Se) in chalcogen-nitrogen chemistry: formation and structural characterization of Cl2TeESN2 (E = S, Se) and [PPh4]2[Pd2(mu-Se2N2S)X4] (X = Cl, Br)

The reaction of (Me3SiNSN)2S with TeCl4 in CH2Cl2 affords Cl2TeS2N2 (1) and that of (Me3SiNSN)2Se with TeCl4 produces Cl2TeSeSN2 (2) in good yields. The products were characterized by X-ray crystallography, as well as by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and EI mass spectrometry. The Raman spectra were assigned by utilizing DFT molecular orbital calculations. The pathway of the formation of five-membered Cl2TeESN2 rings by the reactions of (Me3SiNSN)2E with TeCl4 (E = S, Se) is discussed. The reaction of (Me3SiNSN)2Se with [PPh4]2[Pd2X6] yields [PPh4]2[Pd2(mu-Se2N2S)X4] (X = Cl, 4a; Br, 4b), the first examples of complexes of the (Se2N2S)2- ligand. In both cases, this ligand bridges the two palladium centers through the selenium atoms.     

Novel reactions of phosphorus(III) azides and isocyanates: unusual modes of cycloaddition with dipolarophiles and an unexpected case of ring expansion

New modes of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition are uncovered by the isolation of [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)N[NP(N3)(OC6H2-6-t-Bu-4-Me)2CH2]N) (3) and [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)C(O)N) (4) on treating [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P-X [X = N3 (1) and NCO (2)] with the dipolarophile MeO2CC identical to CCO2Me; compound 4 undergoes an unprecedented ring expansion upon addition of 2-(methylamino)ethanol to afford the spirocycle [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2]P(OCH2CH2N(Me)CH(CO2Me)CH(CO2Me)C(O)N) (5).     

苦味酸碳酰肼、苦味酸氨基脲和苦味酸氨基胍的温度跃升傅里叶变换红外光谱

利用温度跃升傅里叶变换红外原位分析技术(T-jump/FTIR)对苦味酸碳酰肼,苦味酸氨基脲和苦味酸氨基胍的快速热分解过程进行了研究,利用快速扫描傅里叶变换红外光谱在线检测气相产物的种类及浓度变化趋势。研究发现,在0.1 MPa氩气气氛下,这3种化合物快速热分解过程的含氮气相产物主要有NO、NH3、HCN、NO2、HONO和HNCO,含碳气相产物主要有CO2、CO、HCN、HNCO和HONO,NH3可进一步氧化为NO2,N2O和H2O等产物;实验同时得到了快速热分解主要气相产物摩尔分数随时间的变化关系曲线。研究表明,苦味酸氨基脲作为新型、安全、环保起爆药剂和汽车安全气囊产气剂组分有很好的发展前景。     

Removal of NO in NO/N2, NO/N2/O2, NO/CH4/N2, and NO/CH4/O2/N2 systems by flowing microwave discharges

In this paper, continuing previous work, we report on experiments carried out to investigate the removal of NO from simulated flue gas in nonthermal plasmas. The plasma-induced decomposition of small concentrations of NO in N2 used as the carrier gas and O2 and CH4 as minority components has been studied in a surface wave discharge induced with a surfatron launcher. The reaction products and efficiency have been monitored by mass spectrometry as a function of the composition of the mixture. NO is effectively decomposed into N2 and O2 even in the presence of O2, provided always that enough CH4 is also present in the mixture. Other majority products of the plasma reactions under these conditions are NH3, CO, and H2. In the absence of O2, decomposition of NO also occurs, although in that case HCN accompanies the other reaction products as a majority component. The plasma for the different reaction mixtures has been characterized by optical emission spectroscopy. Intermediate excited species of NO*, C*, CN*, NH*, and CH* have been monitored depending on the gas mixture. The type of species detected and their evolution with the gas composition are in agreement with the reaction products detected in each case. The observations by mass spectrometry and optical emission spectroscopy are in agreement with the kinetic reaction models available in literature for simple plasma reactions in simple reaction mixtures.     

固相配位化学反应研究 XXIII: 一取代基五氰合铁(II)类配合物热分解反应的研究

本文以气相色谱法为主要手段, 配合Mossbauer谱、红外光谱等结构分析方法, 研究了一系列一取代基五氰合铁(II)类配合物Na2[Fe(CN)5L]·mH2O及Na3[Fe(CN)5L']·nH2O(L=NO^+、N2H5^+、enH^+, L'=NH3、H2O、Py)的热分解反应。结果表明所有一取代五氰合铁(II)配合物热分解过程中都形成相同的中间化合物Na4[Fe(CN)6]和Fe2[Fe(CN)6], 各配合物热分解放出取代基L(L')的温度次序与L(L')在光谱化学序列中的次序一致。本文以亚硝基铁氰化钠为代表, 详细讨论了该系列配合物的热分解反应机理以及热稳定性的规律性。     

ZrO2催化剂上吸附CH3NO2的分解

用TPD和IR谱研究了CH_3NO_2在ZrO_2催化剂上的吸附活化和分解反应。结果表明,室温下CH_3NO_2在ZrO_2表面发生不可逆化学吸附,它们在TPD过程中可完全分解生成HCN、CO_2、CO、NH_3、H_2O和微量NO。其中H_2O和NO的脱附峰出现在383K附近。其它产物在543K附近出现极大值。IR结果表明,CH_3NO_2在ZrO_2上吸附形成诸如[CH_2NO_2],和/或吸附物种。这些吸附物种在升高温度时转化为表面态“HCN”。“HCN”或脱附,或进一步向表面“HCONH_2”和/或“HCOO~-”转化,后两种表面物种分解可产生CO_2、NH_3和CO。将这些结果与CH_3NO_2在SiO_2-Al_O_3和MgO催化剂上的结果进行了比较,讨论了酸-碱双功能性ZrO_2催化剂上CH_3NO_2活化分解的特点。     

The Reaction of CH_3+NO in Gaseous Phase

NOx is a major pollutant product from combustion processes. In hydrocarbon combustion there are a number of radicals as CH2, C2H, CH3 and C2H3 can react with NO1-3. A large amount of CH3 exists in natural gas combustion flame. Therefore the reaction of CH3 with NO is very important. A rate constant (k =1.510-11exp(-60k/T) cm3molecule-1s-1) of the overall CH3+NO reaction was measured with laser flash photolysis/absorption spectroscopy over the temperature range 296-509 K and at pre…     

Direct synthesis of (imine)platinum(II) complexes by iminoacylation of ketoximes with activated organonitrile ligands

The metal-mediated iminoacylation of ketoximes R1R2C=NOH (1a R1 = R2 = Me; 1b R1 = Me, R2 = Et; 1c R1R2 = C4H8; 1d R1R2 = C5H10) upon treatment with the platinum(II) complex trans-[PtCl2(NCCH2CO2Me)2] 2a with an organonitrile bearing an acceptor group proceeds under mild conditions in dry CH2Cl2 to give the trans-[PtCl2{NH=C(CH2CO2Me)ON=CR1R2}2] 3a-d isomers in moderate yield. The reaction of those ketoximes with trans-[PtCl2(NCCH2Cl)2] 2b under the same experimental conditions gives a 1 : 1 mixture of the isomers trans/cis-[PtCl2{NH=C(CH2Cl)ON=CR1R2}2] 3e-h and 4e-h in moderate to good yield. These reactions are greatly accelerated by microwave irradiation to give, with higher yields (ca. 75%), the same products which were characterized by IR and 1H, 13C and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies, FAB-MS, elemental analysis for the stable trans isomers, and X-ray diffraction analysis (3f). The diiminoester ligand in 3a was liberated upon reaction of the complex with a diphosphine.     

Synthesis of methyl carbamates from primary aliphatic amines and dimethyl carbonate in supercritical CO2: effects of pressure and cosolvents and chemoselectivity

[reaction: see text] At 130 degrees C, in the presence of CO2 (5-200 bar), primary aliphatic amines react with dimethyl carbonate (MeOCO2Me, DMC) to yield methyl carbamates (RNHCO2Me) and N-methylation side-products (RNHMe and RNMe2). The pressure of CO2 largely influences both the reaction conversion and the selectivity toward urethanes: in general, conversion goes through a maximum (70-80%) in the midrange (40 bar) and drops at lower and higher pressures, whereas selectivity is continuously improved (from 50% up to 90%) by an increase of the pressure. This is explained by the multiple role of CO2 in (i) the acid/base equilibrium with aliphatic amines, (ii) the reactivity/solubility of RNHCO2- nucleophiles with/in DMC, and (iii) the inhibition of competitive N-methylation reaction of the substrates. Cosolvents also affect the reaction: in particular, a drop in selectivity is observed with polar protic media (i.e., MeOH), plausibly because of solvation effects (through H-bonds) of RNHCO2- moieties. The reaction shows also a good chemoselectivity: bifunctional aliphatic amines bearing either aromatic NH2 or OH substituents [XC6H4(CH2)n NH2, X = NH2, OH; n = 1, 2], undergo methoxycarbonylation reactions exclusively at aliphatic amino groups and give the corresponding methyl carbamates [XC6H4(CH2)n NHCO2Me] in 39-65% isolated yields.