Chemistry Letters · 1999 · 62 citations · 13 references
EngineeringChemical EngineeringChemistryCatalysisHeat TransferReaction EngineeringCatalytic MechanismsCatalytic Reaction EngineeringCatalytic Reaction KineticsCannizzaro ReactionCatalytic Reaction ThermodynamicsDisproportionation ReactionsFormaldehydeHot Water HeatingHydride Transfer ChemistryHydride Transfer Processes
Abstract In hot water heated up to 250 °C and 4 MPa, methanol and formic acid are produced from the Cannizzaro-type reaction of formaldehyde without a catalyst, although this disproportionation reaction is well-known to occur in the presence of a large amount of base catalysts in ambient conditions. Formic acid further undergoes the hydride transfer reaction with formaldehyde, and the final yield of methanol exceeds 50%.
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