CONVERSION OF BIOMASS TO FORMIC ACID AT MODEST TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES**

Authors

Savannah L. Hardin*, Young Harris College, 1 College St., Young Harris, GAFollow
Lena M. Powell*, Young Harris College, 1 College St., Young Harris, GAFollow
Charles D. Swor, Young Harris College, 1 College St., Young Harris, GAFollow

Abstract

Cellulose, the major component of plant biomass, is an abundant and renewable resource. As such, chemists have long sought to convert cellulose - and its monomer, glucose – into feedstock chemicals and fuels. One such feedstock is formic acid, which can be converted further into the syngas components hydrogen and carbon monoxide, or even used as a fuel itself. However, current conversions of biomass into formic acid require extreme pressures and temperatures. Here, we present our efforts to convert cellulose and glucose into formic acid at lower temperatures and pressures, using a vanadium-based catalyst.

Acknowledgements

YHC Department of Chemistry

Recommended Citation

Hardin*, Savannah L.; Powell*, Lena M.; and Swor, Charles D. (2019) "CONVERSION OF BIOMASS TO FORMIC ACID AT MODEST TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 77, No. 1, Article 17.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol77/iss1/17