Formic acid (FA) has been suggested as a non-toxic and non-flammable hydrogen carrier material, which can be used in a carbon neutral cycle to store energy. It can be decomposed via two pathways: decarbonylation and decarboxylation. Selective decomposition of FA to H2 and CO2 mixture with no trace of CO is quite useful as the gas stream can be directly used in H2/O2 fuel cells without poisoning of the anode catalyst. In this study, the commercially available carbonylchlorohydrido[bis(2-(diphenylphosphinoethyl)amino]ruthenium(II) complex (Ru-MACHOTM) was explored as a homogenous catalyst for the selective decomposition of formic acid to H2 and CO2. The study of the reaction mixture by spectroscopic methods, such as, FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR revealed the in situ formation of carbonyl and hydride species. The chemical composition of the gas evolved in the course of the reaction was determined by GC and FTIR. A plausible mechanism for the catalytic decomposition of FA to H2 and CO2 will be discussed.

Selective decomposition of formic acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the presence of ruthenium hydrido carbonyl complexes

244th National Meeting (2012)

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