Cyclic carbalkoxy aminimides. Synthesis and thermal decomposition to give N,N-dimethylamino isocyanate

Abstract Five membered ring carbalkoxy aminimides are prepared from 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and α-chloroalkyl chloroformates in three steps. Upon heating, these aminimides give high yields of N,N-dimethylamino isocyanate. This intermediate dimerizes or can be trapped in the presence of a nucleophile.