Recyclable polymerized Lewis acid poly-BPh(C6F5)2 catalyzed selective N-formylation and N-methylation of amines with carbon dioxide and phenylsilanes

Abstract

A new boron-centered polymer, which is named poly-BPh(C6F5)2 (polymerized-bis(perfluorophenyl)-(phenyl)borane) was designed and synthesized, which is found to be an efficient catalyst for selective N-formylation and N-methylation of amines using CO2 as C1 building block in the presence of hydrosilanes. Milder reaction conditions (even at room temperature and 1 bar of CO2), remarkable recyclability, tolerance against a variety of functional groups and excellent yields reveal the excellent stability and catalytic activity of poly-BPh(C6F5)2. The process herein represents a simple, ecologically friendly and efficient route for CO2 chemical fixation into value-added chemicals.