PURPOSE: To obtain a compound useful as a physiologically active substance or a synthetic intermediate therefor, by reacting a secondary amine with an alcohol, oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a copper compound, dehydrating agent and bivalent palladium.

CONSTITUTION: A secondary amine expressed by the formula R1R2NH (R1 and R2 are alkyl, aryl or aralkyl or together link at the terminals to form polymethylene ring which may have O, S or N therein) is reacted with an alcohol expressed by the formula R3OH (R3 is lower alkyl) and ≥2 equivalents carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a copper compound, e.g. cuprous chloride, a catalytic amount of bivalent palladium and dehydrating agent, e.g. trimethyl o-formate, at room temperature under pressure to afford the aimed oxamate compound expressed by the formula R1R2NCOCO2R3.