Mixed anhydrides: key intermediates in carbamates forming processes of industrial interest.

Mixed anhydrides of carbonic acid with phosphonic or carbamic acid, are mimic of relevant biological systems, and behave as key intermediates in trans-esterification processes that afford carbamates of industrial interest. They are formed in the phosphonic acids mediated or direct transesterification reaction of organic carbonates with amines to afford carbamates and have been isolated and characterised in the solid state and solution. Their conversion into the products has been demonstrated to occur with high regioselectivity. The application of such intermediates in some synthetic processes is discussed.