Copper catalysis: ligand-controlled selective N-methylation or N-formylation of amines with CO2 and phenylsilane

Cupric subcarbonate (Cu2(OH)2CO3) was found to be effective for the reductive functionalization of CO2 to produce formamides and methylamines with phenylsilane as reductant. Interestingly, N-formylation and N-methylation were switched on/off by subtly choosing the ligand: DPPB (1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane) promoted N-methylation whereas Ph2CyP (diphenylcyclohexylphosphine) favored for N-formylation.