| abstract |
The invention relates to a method for catalytically producing formic acid. A polyoxometallate ion, which is used as a catalyst, of the general formula [PMoxVyO40] 5- is brought into contact with an alpha-hydroxyaldehyde, an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, or a glycoside in a liquid solution at a temperature below 120 °C, wherein 6 < x < 11, 1 < y < 6, x + y = 12, and x and y are each a whole number. |