Au/Nb2O5-catalyzed N-Formylation of Amines Utilizing High Selectivity to Formate Intermediate in CO2 Hydrogenation

Deformed orthorhombic niobium oxide-supported Au nanoparticles (Au/Nb2O5-DO) exhibited high catalytic activity for N-formylation of amines using CO2 and H2 compared to other Au/Nb2O5 catalysts having different crystalline structures. Au/Nb2O5-DO also showed high selectivity to methyl formate in CO2 hydrogenation. Nb2O5-DO possessed a greater amount of acid sites than Au/Nb2O5-T (orthorhombic) and Au/Nb2O5-A (amorphous), which would be beneficial for formate activation and amine adsorption.