Issue 5, 2015

Metal-free dehydrogenation of formic acid to H2 and CO2 using boron-based catalysts

Abstract

Formic acid is at the crossroads of novel sustainable energy strategies because it is an efficient H2 carrier. Yet, to date, its decomposition to H2 relies on metal-based catalysts. Herein, we describe the first metal-free catalysts able to promote the dehydrogenation of formic acid. Using dialkylborane derivatives, HCOOH is decomposed to H2 and CO2 in the presence of a base with high selectivity. Experimental and computational results point to the involvement of bis(formyloxy)borates as key intermediates in the C–H bond activation of a formate ligand.

Graphical abstract: Metal-free dehydrogenation of formic acid to H2 and CO2 using boron-based catalysts

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
02 Feb 2015
Accepted
04 Mac 2015
First published
06 Mac 2015
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 2938-2942

Author version available

Metal-free dehydrogenation of formic acid to H2 and CO2 using boron-based catalysts

C. Chauvier, A. Tlili, C. Das Neves Gomes, P. Thuéry and T. Cantat, Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 2938 DOI: 10.1039/C5SC00394F

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