Process for preparing formic acid

US8426641B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Thomas Schaub · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Rocco Paciello · Bad Dürkheim, DE
• Klaus-Dieter Mohl · Hockenheim, DE
• Daniel Schneider · Mannheim, DE
• Martin Schaefer · Gebenstorf, CH
• Stefan Rittinger · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 25, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 2, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C51/44
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Process for preparing formic acid by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising an element of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table, a tertiary amine and a polar solvent at a pressure of from 0.2 to 30 MPa abs and a temperature of from 20 to 200° C. to form two liquid phases, separation of the two liquid phases, wherein the liquid phase (B) enriched with the tertiary amine is recirculated to the hydrogenation reactor and the formic acid/amine adduct from the liquid phase (A) enriched with the formic acid/amine adduct and the polar solvent is thermally dissociated into free formic acid and free tertiary amine in a distillation unit and the tertiary amine liberated in the dissociation and the polar solvent are recirculated to the hydrogenation reactor.