Formic acid disproportionation into formaldehyde triggered by vanadium complexes with iridium catalysis under mild conditions in N -methylation

Formaldehyde (CH 2 O) has been used as a key platform reagent in the chemical industry for many decades. Currently, the industrial production of CH 2 O mainly depends on fossil resources, involving a highly energetic three-step process (200–1100 °C). Herein, we describe renewable formic acid (HCO 2 H) disproportionation into CH 2 O triggered by vanadium complexes with iridium catalysis under mild conditions at 30–50 °C in N -methylation. The gram-scale application of in situ generated CH 2 O by HCO 2 H disproportionation is demonstrated.