A very simple and highly efficient procedure for N-formylation of primary and secondary amines at room temperature under solvent-free conditions

N-Formylation of primary and secondary amines has efficiently been carried out at room temperature in excellent yields by using catalytic amount of sodium formate in formic acid under solvent-free conditions. The process is remarkably simple and environmentally benign.

A very simple, highly efficient and cost-effective method for N-formylation of primary and secondary amines in excellent yield using catalytic amount of sodium formate in formic acid under solvent-free conditions is reported.