Formic acid disproportionation into formaldehyde triggered by vanadium complexes with iridium catalysis under mild conditions in N-methylation

Formaldehyde (CH2O) has been used as a key platform reagent in the chemical industry for many decades. Currently, the industrial production of CH2O mainly depends on fossil resources, involving a highly energetic three-step process (200-1100 degrees C). Herein, we describe renewable formic acid (HCO2H) disproportionation into CH2O triggered by vanadium complexes with iridium catalysis under mild conditions at 30-50 degrees C in N-methylation. The gram-scale application of in situ generated CH2O by HCO2H disproportionation is demonstrated.

Automated summary

This study presents a sustainable method for the production of formaldehyde through the disproportionation of formic acid, catalyzed by iridium-triggered vanadium complexes under mild conditions. The successful demonstration of gram-scale application of in situ generated formaldehyde highlights the potential of this method in industrial production processes.