UiO-66 as an efficient catalyst for N-formylation of amines with CO2 and dimethylamine borane as a reducing agent

The most effective way to make the best use of CO2, is the reductive formylation of amines, as formamides have many applications in industry. A new protocol has been developed for reductive N-formylation of amines with CO2 as a Cl carbon source and DMAB (Dimethylamine borane) as a reducing agent in the presence of Zr-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) as an efficient, heterogeneous recyclable catalyst. We used UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2 as catalysts for N-formylation of amines and observed that both the catalyst performs equally. Therefore, we continued our studies with UiO-66 as a catalyst. The UiO-66 MOF shows good catalytic activity and affording the desired formamides in good to excellent yield. This catalytic system is very efficient for several amines including primary and secondary aliphatic cyclic and aromatic amines. Moreover, the prepared catalyst was recycled up to four recycled without a considerable decrease in catalytic activity.