Developing Bicatalytic Cascade Reactions: Ruthenium-catalyzed Hydrogen Generation From Methanol

A novel state-of-the-art bicatalytic system for hydrogen generation from aqueous methanol at low temperature and base concentration is described. Applying two molecularly defined ruthenium complexes A and B3 for methanol dehydrogenation at the same time under the same conditions, a synergistic effect is observed. This behavior is explained by the increase of the dehydrogenation of formic acid, which is formed as an intermediate, by the second catalyst B3.