Formic acid disproportionation into formaldehyde triggered by vanadium complexes with iridium catalysis under mild conditions in N-methylation

Abstract

Formaldehyde (CH₂O) has been used as a key platform reagent in the chemical industry for many decades. Currently, the industrial production of CH₂O mainly depends on fossil resources, involving a highly energetic three-step process (200–1100 °C). Herein, we describe renewable formic acid (HCO₂H) disproportionation into CH₂O triggered by vanadium complexes with iridium catalysis under mild conditions at 30–50 °C in N-methylation. The gram-scale application of in situ generated CH₂O by HCO₂H disproportionation is demonstrated.