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Synlett 2000; 2000(4): 559
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-6578
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Methyl N-(triethylammonium-sulfonyl)carbamate: "Burgess Reagent"

Svenja Burckhardt*
  • *Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
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Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Methyl N-(triethylammoniumsulfonyl)carbamate 1, also known as Burgess reagent, is a powerful dehydrating agent. Amongst other transformations it has been used to prepare isocyanides, nitriles, and nitrile oxides from formamides, primary amides and nitroalkanes respectively. In recent years its most notable application has been in the cyclodehydration of hydroxy amides and thioamides to afford the corresponding heterocycles.