The reaction of formic acid with RaneyTMcopper.
The interaction of formic acid with RaneyTMCu proves to be complex. Rather than the expected generation of a monolayer of bidentate formate, we find the formation of a Cu(II) compound. This process occurs by direct reaction of copper and formic acid; in contrast, previous methods are by solution reaction. This is a rare example of formic acid acting as an oxidant rather than, as more commonly found, a reductant. The combination of diffraction, spectroscopic and computational methods has allowed this unexpected process to be characterized.
ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory , Chilton, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK.
Samantha K
SK
Callear
Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK Catalysis Hub, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
Ian P
IP
Silverwood
Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK Catalysis Hub, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
Arunabhiram
A
Chutia
Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK Catalysis Hub, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK; Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
C Richard A
CR
Catlow
ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK Catalysis Hub, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
Stewart F
0000-0002-3228-2570
SF
Parker
copper; density functional theory; formate; methanol synthesis; neutron scattering