title: Efficient dehydrogenation of formic acid using an iron catalyst.
abstract: Hydrogen is one of the essential reactants in the chemical industry, though its generation from renewable sources and storage in a safe and reversible manner remain challenging. Formic acid (HCO(2)H or FA) is a promising source and storage material in this respect. Here, we present a highly active iron catalyst system for the liberation of H(2) from FA. Applying 0.005 mole percent of Fe(BF(4))(2)·6H(2)O and tris[(2-diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine [P(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(3), PP(3)] to a solution of FA in environmentally benign propylene carbonate, with no further additives or base, affords turnover frequencies up to 9425 per hour and a turnover number of more than 92,000 at 80°C. We used in situ nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, kinetic studies, and density functional theory calculations to explain possible reaction mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein Straß 29a, Rostock, 18059, Germany.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boddien
authors.forename: Dörthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mellmann
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gärtner
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackstell
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Junge
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laurenczy
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beller