N-Formylation of Amines with Methanol or Formalin Using Gold Nanoclusters

Significance The selective N-formylation of amines with methanol or formalin using gold ­nanoclusters was described. The N-formylation of amines using methanol or formalin as a formyl source in the presence of the gold nanoclusters stabilized by poly( N -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (Au:PVP: 1-10 atom%) under aerobic conditions led to the corresponding N-formylated amine products.