Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkyl esters of N-alkyl or N-aryl thiocarbamic acid having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl or aryl, R.sub.2 is alkyl and R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl which comprises reacting the S-alkyl ester of N-alkyl or aryl dithiocarbamic acid having the formula: ##STR2## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 have the meanings stated above with an appropriate alkali metal alkoxide in the presence of one or more alcoholic solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aryl esters of N-alkyl carbamic acids. The process comprises reacting an alkyl N-alkyl carbamate of the general formula:R.sub.1 --NH--COO--R.sub.3wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are both alkyl groups, with a substituted phenol in the presence of a halogen-containing phosphorous compound to produce an aryl ester of N-alkyl carbamic acid having the general formula:R.sub.1 --NH--COO--R.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group and R.sub.2 is an aryl group derived from the substituted phenol. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process is used for the preparation of aryl esters of N-methyl carbamic acid.