Aqueous phase homogeneous formic acid disproportionation into methanol

Herein we describe formic acid disproportionation into methanol with a homogeneous iridium catalyst. Methanol yields of up to 74% were obtained in D2O at 50 °C. Initial H2 pressures further enhanced methanol formation, resulting in a highly concentrated 9.8 m MeOH solution upon recycling.