Photocatalytic CO2 conversion to HCOOH

CO₂ conversion to formic acid[Pro21]

Formic acid (FA) is a simple chemical with many uses. Its applications include use as a preservative, in the leather and dyeing industry and chemical providing a C1 building block. It is also an important H₂ carrier, because of its qualities as non-toxic, easily storable liquid. This also makes it directly usable in fuel cells.[Fas16] The global production is currently estimated at 870.000 metric tons in 2021 with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Report) of 3.87% in volume terms during the period 2022-2027.[https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/formic-acid-market]

Industrial production of formic acid is done mainly by carbonylation of methanol and subsequent hydrolysation of methyl formate to formic acid.[FA00]

A direct approach of synthesis by hydrogenation of CO₂ and using renewable energy, such as sunlight in photocatalysis, in a homogeneous environment, is the focus of this page.

Reaction

CO2 + H2 -> HCOOH

explanation

Sacrificial electron donors

TEOA TEA BI(OH)H BIH BNAH

BIH	BI(OH)H	BNAH	TEA	TEOA
BIH	BI(OH)H	BNAH	TEA	TEOA

Ruthenium Catalysts

100549 [Show R-Groups] 100481 [Show R-Groups] Ru(bpy)2CO3 100483 100551 [Show R-Groups] 100552 [Show R-Groups]

complexes ordered by metal

Photosensitizers

Ru(bpy)3Cl2 100489 100533

photosensitizer compounds

Experiments

table with several experiments

Cobalt Catalysts

100553 [Show R-Groups] Co(MePP) tBuxant-(Co(qpy))2

Organic and semiconductor photosensitizer

3,7-Di((1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl)-10-(naphthalen-1-yl)-10H-phenoxazine 100494 Tris-(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium

Experiments