Suitable combination of promoter and micellar catalyst for chromic acid oxidation of formaldehyde to formic acid in aqueous acid media at room temperature

The chromic acid oxidation of formaldehyde in micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)/TX-100 at room temperature has been investigated under pseudo first-order condition. Heterocyclic bases such as picolinic acid (PA), 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) have been employed which acts as a promoter. The rate of this oxidation reaction increased 50 times by combination of bipy and SDS micelle compared to rate in pure aqueous media. Here, we can avoid hazardous organic solvents, high pressure and temperature which are required for conventional preparation of formic acid. The catalytic effect of SDS/TX-100 micelle has been explained.