Catalytic air oxidation of biomass-derived carbohydrates to formic acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/cssc.201100466

An efficient catalytic system for biomass oxidation to form formic acid was developed. The conversion of glucose to formic acid can reach up to 52 % yield within 3 h when catalyzed by 5 mol % of H₅PV₂Mo ₁₀O₄₀ at only 373 K using air as the oxidant. Furthermore, the heteropolyacid can be used as a bifunctional catalyst in the conversion of cellulose to formic acid (yield=35 %) with air as the oxidant. Copyright