N-formylation of amine using graphene oxide as a sole recyclable metal-free carbocatalyst

Graphene oxide (GO), an inexpensive, environment-friendly, and metal-free carbocatalyst, used for the N-formylation of amines is developed. In this reaction, GO shows good activity, selectivity, and recyclability. This strategy has an array of advantages, such as being metal free, without additive, wide-scope protocol, scalable with a low catalyst loading of 3wt%, use of readily available and recyclable carbocatalyst, and DMF as a readily available formyl source. Furthermore, this strategy provides an avenue for the convenient hydroformylation of various amines. [GRAPHICS]