A very simple and highly efficient procedure for N-formylation of primary and secondary amines at room temperature under solvent-free conditions

N-Formylation of primary and secondary amines has efficiently been carried out at room temperature in excellent yields by using catalytic amount of sodium formate in formic acid under solvent-free conditions. The process is remarkably simple and environmentally benign. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.