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Related Concept Videos

Production of Organic Acids01:25

Production of Organic Acids

Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis01:01

Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis of acid halides is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction in which acid halides react with water to give carboxylic acids. The reaction occurs readily and does not require acid or a base catalyst.
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic acid...
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis01:13

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis of esters under acidic conditions proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution. In the presence of excess water, the reaction proceeds in a reversible manner, forming carboxylic acids and alcohols.
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation02:13

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Preparation of Acid Anhydrides01:07

Preparation of Acid Anhydrides

One of the methods for preparing symmetrical or unsymmetrical acid anhydrides involves the treatment of acid chlorides with the sodium salt of carboxylic acids. The reaction proceeds via a nucleophilic acyl substitution.
The carboxylate ion acts as a nucleophile that attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acid chloride to form a tetrahedral intermediate. Subsequently, the re-formation of the carbonyl group with the loss of the chloride ion as a leaving group leads to the formation of an acid...
Weak Acid Solutions04:02

Weak Acid Solutions

Few compounds act as strong acids. A far greater number of compounds behave as weak acids and only partially react with water, leaving a large majority of dissolved molecules in their original form and generating a relatively small amount of hydronium ions. Weak acids are commonly encountered in nature, being the substances partly responsible for the tangy taste of citrus fruits, the stinging sensation of insect bites, and the unpleasant smells associated with body odor. A familiar example of a...

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Updated: May 10, 2026

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
10:00

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor

Published on: March 10, 2023

Towards a practical setup for hydrogen production from formic acid.

Peter Sponholz1, Dörthe Mellmann, Henrik Junge

  • 1Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse eV an der Universität Rostock, Rostock, Germany.

Chemsuschem
|June 13, 2013
PubMed
Summary

A novel mini plant continuously decomposes formic acid into hydrogen and carbon dioxide at ambient conditions. This formic acid cracker utilizes an in situ-formed ruthenium catalyst, achieving exceptional turnover numbers exceeding 1,000,000.

Keywords:
formic acidfuel cellsheterogeneous catalysishydrogenruthenium

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A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
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A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions

Published on: August 17, 2016

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Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
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A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
06:32

A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions

Published on: August 17, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Catalysis
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy

Background:

  • Formic acid is a promising hydrogen carrier due to its high hydrogen density and ease of storage.
  • Efficient and stable catalysts are crucial for the practical application of formic acid decomposition.
  • Current methods often require elevated temperatures or pressures, limiting their applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a continuous formic acid decomposition system operating under ambient conditions.
  • To achieve high catalytic activity and stability for formic acid decomposition.
  • To demonstrate the effectiveness of an in situ-generated ruthenium catalyst.

Main Methods:

  • Design and construction of a mini plant for continuous formic acid decomposition.
  • In situ formation of a ruthenium catalyst from [RuCl2(benzene)]2 and 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphinoethane.
  • Operated the system under ambient temperature and pressure.

Main Results:

  • Achieved continuous decomposition of formic acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
  • The in situ-formed ruthenium catalyst exhibited unprecedented turnover numbers exceeding 1,000,000.
  • The catalytic system demonstrated high efficiency and stability under ambient conditions.

Conclusions:

  • The developed mini plant and in situ ruthenium catalyst offer a highly efficient method for hydrogen production from formic acid.
  • This technology presents a viable pathway for on-demand hydrogen generation under mild conditions.
  • The high turnover numbers indicate significant potential for practical applications in fuel cells and chemical synthesis.