Formic acid and formaldehyde as spin-off products in Ru-EDTA-CO complex catalyzed liquid phase water-gas shift (WGS) reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(89)80097-5

Liquid phase water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) experiments catalyzed by soluble Ru-EDTA-CO complex were conducted in a pressure reactor at CO pressures in the range of 7-34 atm and temperatures of 40-80°C. Along with the formation of the usual WGSR products CO₂ and H₂ in major quantities, significant amounts of HCHO and HCOOH were obtained in the liquid phase. The rates of formation of formaldehyde and formic acid were measured and their dependence on catalyst concentration and CO pressure found to be first order. The formation of HCOOH via CO insertion into the M-OH bond has been proposed in the reaction mechanism for the first time.