N-Formylation of amines via trapping of degradation intermediate of ethers

Abstract

In this paper, ethers such as dioxane, diglyme and THF were used as new formylating agents in photocatalytic (nano titania, solar light irradiation), photochemical (400 nm LED irradiation) and non-photo-induced (stoichiometric peroxide reagent) conditions. This work is about trapping and using of formic acid as a photodegradation intermediate, which discloses a new idea for the valorization of degradation intermediates to value-added products. The reactions generated the corresponding formamides in good yields under simple and mild conditions.