Non-Classical Conversion of Methanol to Formaldehyde

Abstract

Non-classical alternatives to the silver contact and the Formox processes comprise the thermal non-oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol, for which new catalysts are needed to achieve high formaldehyde selectivity at high conversion at temperatures below 600 °C. The electro- or photocatalytic conversion of methanol to formaldehyde is not applied either industrially but is attractive because of mild reaction conditions and high formaldehyde selectivities. Novel gas-phase approaches yielding (anhydrous) formaldehyde are presented describing lab-scale setups and the challenges for up-scaling.