OxFA process

Formic acid is obtained by aqueous catalytic partial oxidation of wet biomass.

[1][2][3] A Keggin-type polyoxometalate (H5PV2Mo10O40) is used as the homogeneous catalyst to convert sugars, wood, waste paper or cyanobacteria to formic acid and CO2 as the sole byproduct.

The remaining solution of the catalyst, residual formic acid and additives are recycled to the reaction.

In another recent example, formic acid was produced from biomass-derived sugars using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant over heterogeneous catalysts.

[4][5] Formic acid can be separated from the reaction mixture by means of distillation or extraction.

If all the volatile compound are distilled, the concentration of the received formic acid is that of the original reaction mixture.