The present invention provides a process for preparing urethanes and carbonates from an amine or an alcohol, carbon dioxide and an allyl halide. The amine or alcohol is reacted with carbon dioxide to form the ammonium carbamate or carbonate salt which is then reacted with a palladium tertiary phosphine catalyst complex of an allyl halide. Polymer products can also be prepared utilizing this process or utilizing the resulting urethanes and carbonates under standard polymerization conditions.