PNP-type ligands enabled copper-catalyzed N-formylation of amines with CO2 in the presence of silanes

The sustainable catalytic transformation of carbon dioxide into valuable fine chemicals with high efficiency is a global challenge as although CO2 is an abundant, nontoxic, and sustainable carbon feedstock it is also the most important factor behind the Greenhouse Effect. We describe herein a PNP-type ligand-enabled copper-catalyzed N-formylation of amines utilizing CO2 as the building block in the presence of hydrosilane as the reductant. Our current protocol featured newly synthesized PNP-type ligands with broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions.

Automated summary

We describe a sustainable catalytic transformation of amines through N-formylation utilizing carbon dioxide as the building block, enabled by newly synthesized PNP-type ligands and copper catalyst. Our protocol exhibits high efficiency and broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions.