Abstract
A rapid and chemoselective method for the N-formylation of structurally diverse amines with formic acid using silica supported perchloric acid (HClO4-SiO2) at room temperature and under solvent-free conditions has been developed. The catalyst was found to be compatible with different functional groups and the formylation proceeded smoothly with amines bearing electron withdrawing as well as electron donating substituents. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.