Generation and Quantification of Formate Ion Produced from Aqueous Sodium Bicarbonate in the Presence of Homogeneous Ruthenium Catalyst

Formic acid and its salts are an alternative source for hydrogen generation. In this study, we store hydrogen using the formate-bicarbonate cycle. Aqueous sodium bicarbonate is hydrogenated to form sodium formate, which can then be decomposed to release hydrogen and sodium bicarbonate. The hydrogenation step is carried out under mild conditions in the presence of a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst. Hydrogen charge is realized at 70 °C under a hydrogen pressure of 20 bar, achieving yields > 80% and turnover number > 610. The catalyst is stable and robust through numerous cycles of the hydrogenation reaction. The formate ion formed during the bicarbonate hydrogenation is assayed and quantified by ion chromatography.