Methylformate decomposition

Methylformate decomposition to CO and H2 is effectively catalyzed by solid super-base. The Na —MgO catalyst prepared by heating a mixture of MgO and sodium azide shows much higher activity than MgO alone. Although the basic strength was not measured, the high activity of Na —MgO is considered to be due to superbasicity of the catalyst. 

Figure 2.22. Proposed reaction pathways for the steam reforming of methanol over Cu-based and Pd/ZnO-based catalysts, (a) Methanol decomposition followed by water-gas shift reaction, (b) Methanol dehydrogenation to formaldehyde/methylformate route.

Many different catalytic systems based on palladium with various cocatalysts and supports were studied. The nature of the support influences the catalyst performance it is important to avoid the presence of both acid sites, to avoid MN decomposition to methylformate and methylal, and basic sites that increase the DM0 production. The catalyst must contain chloride anions to be effective and to keep the oxidation state of palladium(II). Therefore, the loss of chlorides in the outlet stream of the reactor as organic or inorganic compounds must be counteracted by addition of chlorinated organic compounds or HCl in the feed, to maintain the catalyst performances. 

We added NaNa to MgO and heated above 573 K to decompose NaNa to metallic Na so that MgO surfaces react with metallic Na[41], The resulting catalyst exhibited strong basic properties and showed a high activity for decomposition of methylformate to CO and methanol. 

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