Additive-Free, Robust H2 Production from H2O and DMF by Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Cu/Cu2O Formed In Situ

Hydrogen production from organic/inorganic hydrides is a promising strategy for the development of novel clean energy resources to replace fossil fuels and satisfy ever-increasing energy demands. Most current processes involve small flammable chemicals and are catalyzed by noble metals in basic media with the release of the greenhouse gas CO2. Herein, we describe an alternative pathway for highly efficient and robust H-2 production through a dehydrogenation reaction between water and N,N-dimethylformamide catalyzed by Cu/Cu2O catalysts formed in situ. The catalysts exhibit high and robust activity for H-2 production. Importantly, the formation of H-2 as the sole gas and the valuable by-product N,N-dimethylaminoformic acid make this process clean and valuable with 100% atom economy.