Ammonium formate

Ammonium formate is an ammonium salt of formic acid. It is a cheap and promising N-formylating agent for various amines (secondary and aniline). Its anhydrous form may be employed as a catalyst for the synthesis of various amino derivatives from aliphatic and aromatic compounds.
Ammonium formate can be used as a source to produce ammonia. It can also be used in the reductive alkylation of amines.

Ammonium formate may be employed in the following studies:

• Deprotection of N-benzyl derivatives of amino acids and amines to afford free amino acids and amines.
• Conversion of α, β-unsaturated nitroalkenes to the corresponding oximes.
• Preparation of nitriles.