Amines have been formylated using aqueous formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde and the iridium catalyst [Cp∗IrI2]2. Paraformaldehyde acts as both a formylating agent and an oxidant.The reaction of amines with either formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde in water in the presence of [Cp∗IrI2]2 affords the corresponding formamides in good yields.
