CATALYTIC REACTIONS OF FORMATE .1. PHOTOCATALYTIC HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION FROM FORMATE WITH CHROMIUM HEXACARBONYL

Formate ion undergoes homogeneous photocatalytic decomposition to H-2 and CO2 using Cr(CO)6 as a catalyst precursor. The rate of H-2 production exhibits saturation kinetics in formate ion and is inhibited by added pyridine. Infrared spectra of the catalyst solutions indicate an LCr(CO)5 intermediate. These observations suggest that a close relationship exists between this photocatalytic formate decomposition and the thermal water gas shift reaction using Cr(CO)6 as the catalyst precursor.