Mild and Efficient Synthesis of Fmoc-Protected Amino Azides from Fmoc-Protected Amino Alcohols

Fmoc-protected amino azides - key intermediates for monomers of oligomeric urea and guanidine - can be efficiently prepared from the corresponding amino alcohol through iodination followed by substitution with sodium azide. This synthetic route avoids the preparation, storage, and handling of the highly toxic azidic acid that is used in an alternative method.