Direct generation of hydrogen peroxide from formic acid and O2 using heterogeneous Pd/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts

Hydrogen peroxide formation is achieved with remarkable productivity at ambient conditions (25 degrees C and atmospheric pressure) in aqueous medium using a heterogeneous catalytic system; formic acid is decomposed in the presence of a continuous flow of O(2) over Pd/gamma-Al(2)O(3) catalyst leading to the generation of hydrogen peroxide; the addition of a negligible amount of bromide ion improves the selectivity of the reaction.