A convenient one-pot synthesis of formamide derivatives using thiamine hydrochloride as a novel catalyst

Formamide derivatives have been synthesized in excellent yields from amine and formic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of thiamine hydrochloride (VB1) at 80 °C. The advantages of this method are the use of a cheap, stable, non-toxic, and readily available catalyst, easy work-up, improved yields, and solvent-free conditions.