Phosphite-imidazole catalyzed -formylation and -acylation of amines.

A novel and convenient method for the -formylation reaction of amines with DMF as a formylating agent has been developed, utilizing a catalytic amount of diethyl phosphite/imidazole. Diethyl phosphite, as a nucleophilic catalyst, plays a significant role in this conversion. The presented method has a broad substrate scope, and various -formyl products were obtained in good to excellent yields.