Activation of carboxylic acids as their active esters by means of tert-butyl 3-(3,4-dihydrobenzotriazine-4-on)yl carbonate

Carboxylic acids were activated in the presence of DMAP with tert-butyl carbonates (BOC-OX) 1, which were prepared in situ by reaction of X-OH and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (BOC₂O). The most efficient active carbonate proved to be tert-butyl 3-(3,4-dihydrobenzotriazine-4-on)yl carbonate 1a, leading to efficient formation of benzotriazinonyl esters 3 and 6, which are intermediates in reactions with primary and secondary amines to afford amides or peptides in good yield. By-products in the formation of 3 or 6 are the environmentally safe tert-BuOH and CO₂. The hindered amino acid AIB also forms a dipeptide in good yield.