THE PRODUCTION OF FORMIC ACID FROM A NITROGENOUS BASE, CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN

摘要

A process for the production of formic acid comprises (a) in a first stage reacting together a nitrogenous base, carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce a formate salt of the nitrogenous base, (b) in a second stage removing from the formate salt of the nitrogenous base and any low-boilers co-produced therewith the catalyst and recycling this to the first stage, and in a subsequent stage or stages converting the formate salt of the nitrogenous base to formic acid. The process is characterised by the fact that after production of the formate salt of the nitrogenous base in stage (a) and either before or during the second stage (b) the catalyst is treated with a formate salt decomposition inhibitor which is either (I) a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, (II) carbon monoxide or (III) an oxidant.