Nano rod-shaped and reusable basic Al2O3 catalyst for N-formylation of amines under solvent-free conditions: A novel, practical and convenient 'NOSE' approach

An expeditious, simple, highly efficient, practical and green protocol for the N-formylation of alkyl/aryl amines and indole derivatives catalyzed by novel nano rod-shaped basic Al2O3 under solvent-free conditions has been developed. The catalyst is efficiently recycled up to the 5th run, an important point in the domain of green chemistry. The methodology provides cleaner conversion, shorter reaction times and high selectivity which makes the protocol attractive.