Theoretical study of reaction of urea with methylamine: nucleophilic addition pathway

Abstract

The B3LYP and wB97XD density functional methods were used to study the mechanisms and thermodynamic parameters of the activation and reactions of non-catalytic and catalyzed by phenol and p-toluenesulfonic acid reactions of urea with methylamine. The interaction proceeds stepwise with the intermediate formation of N-methylurea. The non-catalytic interaction has a large activation barrier. In the case of participation of methylamine dimer, the activation barrier decreases, but, nevertheless, remains high. During catalysis by phenol and p-toluenesulfonic acid, compounds exhibiting biphilic properties, the activation barrier decreases. The greatest decrease in the activation barrier is observed during catalysis with p-toluenesulfonic acid.