Catalytic conversion of biomass-derived carbohydrates to formic acid using molecular oxygen

Here we report a catalytic process for the efficient production of formic acid (FA) from common carbohydrates via VO2+ formed by dissolving sodium metavanadate in acidic water. The polysaccharides undergo a hydrolysis reaction and an immediate oxidation reaction successively to produce FA in the same reaction system. The hydrolysis reaction decomposes the polymerized structures to produce mono-saccharides, which are readily oxidized to FA under catalysis of VO2+. Typically, formic acid mole yields are 64.9% from cellulose and 63.5% from xylan (hemicellulose). The separation of FA from the catalytic system and recycling of the catalyst are demonstrated.