Facile access to N-formyl imide as an N-formylating agent for the direct synthesis of N-formamides, benzimidazoles and quinazolinones.

N-Formamide synthesis using N-formyl imide with primary and secondary amines with catalytic amounts of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (TsOH·H2O) is described. This reaction is performed in water without the use of surfactants. Moreover, N-formyl imide is efficiently synthesized using acylamidines with TsOH·H2O in water. In addition, N-formyl imide was successfully used as a carbonyl source in the synthesis of benzimidazole and quinazolinone derivatives. Notable features of N-formylation of amines by using N-formyl imide include operational simplicity, oxidant- and metal-free conditions, structurally diverse products, and easy applicability to gram-scale operation.