Curtius Rearrangement (Acyl Azide → Isocyanate → Amine): Mechanism + Exam Traps

Acyl azides thermally rearrange to isocyanates with nitrogen gas loss.

• Reaction: Curtius Rearrangement (Acyl Azide → Isocyanate → Amine)
• What it does: Acyl azides thermally rearrange to isocyanates with nitrogen gas loss.
• Typical reagents: Δ (Curtius) then H2O (hydrolysis)
• Key intermediate: Acyl intermediate
• Driving force: Formation of more stable bonds / products
• Exam type: Predict product
• Exam type: Rearrangement logic
• Exam type: Driving force