Hydrolysis of N,N-dimethylformamide catalyzed by the Keggin H3(PMo12O40]:: isolation and crystal structure analysis of [(CH3)2NH2]3 [PMo12O40]

Keggin heteropolyacid, H-3[PMo12O40].4H(2)O, catalyzes the hydrolysis of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature. Crystal of the product [(CH3)(2)NH2](3)[PMo12O40] was obtained and characterized by IR spectrum and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Crystal data: trigonal, R (3) over bar, a = 16.5412 Angstrom, b = 16.5412 A, c = 25.154 Angstrom. alpha = 90degrees, beta = 90degrees, gamma = 120degrees, Volume = 5960 Angstrom(3), Z = 6. A mechanism is proposed to explain the function of heteropolyacid in the hydrolysis process. Formic acid is oxidized by 12-molybophosphate acid into carbon dioxide, leading the hydrolysis balance of DMF to shifting toward the generation of dimethylamine. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.