An efficient method has been developed for the reductive amination of CO2 by using readily available and recyclable oxofluorovanadates as catalysts. Various amines are transformed into the desired N-formylated products in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature in the presence of phenylsilane. Mechanistic studies based on in situ infrared spectroscopy suggest a reaction pathway initiated through F-Si interactions. The activated phenylsilane allows for CO2 insertion to produce phenylsilyl formate, which undergoes attack by the amine to generate the target product.
Keywords: amides; carbon dioxide; fluorides; heterogeneous catalysis; silanes.
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