3 ms·
Chemist here. Formate does indeed act as a reducing agent under appropriate conditions, but its byproduct is typically CO2 gas, not formaldehyde (HCOO- -> CO2
by brilee 4y ago
Chemist here.
Formate does indeed act as a reducing agent under appropriate conditions, but its byproduct is typically CO2 gas, not formaldehyde (HCOO- -> CO2 + H+ + 2e-). Aldehydes are generally unstable with respect to disproproportionation and are therefore unlikely reaction products.
Organoaluminum compounds are molecules with direct Al-C bonds, whereas these are effectively normal ionic salts with some unusual unit cell structure. Conflating DiBAl with aluminum formate is akin to conflating chlorine gas with clhoride anion...
- refurb 4y agoFormate ions can disproportionate: HCO2H -> CO2 + H2 HCO2H + H2 -> HCHO + H2O However, aluminum salts of formate are likely more stable? You usually need formic acid and heat to generate hydrogen.
- kragen 4y agoalso if you get trace amounts of formaldehyde out the smokestack it isn't going to last more than a few hours in the environment. every living thing produces formaldehyde