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Published on: June 18, 2020
Manganese-Catalyzed Formate Synthesis via Coupled Methanol Dehydrogenation and Bicarbonate Reduction
Sachin Jalwal1, Nitish Kumar Singh2, Aman Anand1
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India.
Inorganic Chemistry
|June 24, 2026
Summary
This study demonstrates a base-metal-catalyzed synthesis of formate salts using methanol and bicarbonate. A manganese pincer complex facilitated the reaction, yielding potassium formate with high turnover, though further optimization is needed.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Formate salts are vital industrial chemicals.
- Efficient synthesis of formate salts from abundant feedstocks is desirable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a base-metal-catalyzed protocol for formate salt synthesis.
- To investigate the reaction mechanism using experimental and computational methods.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pincer manganese complex (Mn-1) with a PNHP ligand.
- Employed simultaneous dehydrogenation of methanol and reduction of bicarbonate.
- Conducted stoichiometric mechanistic studies and computational analysis.
- Performed 13C labeling experiments to trace formate origin.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum turnover number (TON) of 2630 for potassium formate synthesis.
- 13C labeling showed formate primarily derived from methanol (76%) and secondarily from bicarbonate (24%).
- Identified a plausible catalytic pathway through mechanistic investigations.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel catalytic system for formate salt production from renewable resources (methanol and bicarbonates).
- Hydrogen gas is generated as a valuable byproduct.
- Low methanol conversion and bicarbonate reduction efficiency indicate room for catalytic system improvement.
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