Direct selective oxygen-assisted acylation of amines driven by metallic silver surfaces: dimethylamine with formaldehyde

Facile, direct acylation of dimethylamine with formaldehyde to N,N-dimethylformamide proceeds with a selectivity approaching 100% at low oxygen concentrations on metallic silver surfaces; the reaction proceeds via nucleophilic attack of adsorbed dimethylamide on formaldehyde with subsequent beta-H elimination from the adsorbed hemiaminal.