Abstract Unstable neutral radicals [ROCONHOU.] 2 and nitrosoformates 3 are formed by oxidation of N-hydroxycarbamates with lead dioxide. In the presence of alcohols or phenols and water they solvolyzed to mixtures of symmetrical 4 and asymmetrical 5 carbonates. The content of asymmetrical carbonates 5 increases with increasing reactivity of the nitrosoformates 3 formed, temperature, the content of water in the reaction mixture, and ...