PNP-type ligands enabled copper-catalyzed N -formylation of amines with CO 2 in the presence of silanes.

The sustainable catalytic transformation of carbon dioxide into valuable fine chemicals with high efficiency is a global challenge as although CO 2 is an abundant, nontoxic, and sustainable carbon feedstock it is also the most important factor behind the Greenhouse Effect. We describe herein a PNP-type ligand-enabled copper-catalyzed N -formylation of amines utilizing CO 2 as the building block in the presence of hydrosilane as the reductant. Our current protocol featured newly synthesized PNP-type ligands with broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions.