Platinum nanoparticles as recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for selective methylation of amines and imines with formic acid: Indirect utilization of CO2

N-methylation of amines and imines with formic acid as C1 source by easily prepared Pt NPs as heterogeneous catalyst is reported here. Primary, secondary amines and imines were successfully methylated in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. Both aromatic and aliphatic amines could be applied as substrates. Meanwhile, the heterogeneous Pt NPs were capable to be recylcled and reused for 7 times without significant decrease of reactivity. This protocol provided an indirect utilization pathway of CO₂ by using formic acid as C1 source.