Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating formic acid from a reaction mixture by means of extraction, wherein, in addition to the formic acid, the reaction mixture comprises a polyoxometalate ion of general formula [PMoxVyO40]n? as a catalyst and a solvent that dissolves the catalyst, wherein 6?x?11, 1?6, x+y=12 and 3<n<10, wherein n, x, and y are each a whole number, wherein the separation occurs via extraction by means of a polar organic extraction agent which extracts the formic acid and the catalyst and which is N-(n-hexadecyl)formamide, N-di-n-acetamide or an N,N-dialkylcarboxamide, wherein the N,N-dialkylcarboxamide forms a phase boundary between the solvent and the extraction agent during mixing with the solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically producing formic acid and regenerating the catalyst used in the process. A vanadyl ion, vandate ion, or polyoxometallate ion, which is used as the catalyst, of the general formula [PMoxVyO40]n? is brought into contact with an alpha hydroxyl aldehyde, an alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, a glycoside, or a polymer, which contains a carbon chain and which comprises at least two OH groups bonded as substituents to the carbon chain as a substituent in a repeating manner and/or an O, N, or S atom contained in the carbon chain in a repeating manner, in a liquid solution (12) in a vessel (10) at a temperature above 70° C. and below 160° C., wherein 6?x?11, 1?y?6, 3<n<10, and x+y=12, where n, x, and y is each a whole number.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for catalytically producing formic acid and regenerating the catalyst used in the process. A vanadyl ion, vandate ion, or polyoxometallate ion, which is used as the catalyst, of the general formula [PMoxVyO40]n? is brought into contact with an alpha hydroxyl aldehyde, an alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, a glycoside, or a polymer, which contains a carbon chain and which comprises at least one OH group that is bound to the carbon chain as a substituent in a repeating manner and/or an O, N, or S atom contained in the carbon chain in a repeating manner, in a liquid solution (12) in a vessel (10) at a temperature above 70° C. and below 160° C., wherein 6?x?11, 1?y?6, 3<n<10, and x+y=12, where n, x, and y is each a whole number. The catalyst reduced in the process is returned to its starting state by oxidation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating formic acid from a reaction mixture by means of extraction, wherein, in addition to the formic acid, the reaction mixture comprises a polyoxometalate ion of general formula [PMoxVyO40]n? as a catalyst and a solvent that dissolves the catalyst, wherein 6?x?11, 1?y?6, x+y=12 and 3<n<10, wherein n, x, and y are each a whole number, wherein the separation occurs via extraction by means of a polar organic extraction agent which extracts the formic acid and the catalyst and which is N—(N-Hexadecyl)formamide, N-di-n-acetamide or an N,N-dialkylcarboxamide, wherein the N,N-dialkylcarboxamide forms a phase boundary between the solvent and the extraction agent during mixing with the solvent, wherein the extraction agent is one which, for extraction of the catalyst contained in water at a concentration of 1.5 wt. %, has a catalyst distribution coefficient at 40° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120° C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps: a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

Abstract: Methods for catalytic generation of formic acid at an oxygen partial pressure of less than 1 bar and regeneration of the catalyst used in this process, wherein a polyoxometallate ion of the general formula [PMoxVyO40]n?, which serves as the catalyst, is brought in contact with an alpha-hydroxyaldehyde, an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, a glycoside or a polymer containing a carbon chain with at least one OH group bound as a repeatedly occurring substituent to the carbon chain and/or an O, N or S atom occurring repeatedly in the carbon chain in a liquid solution in a vessel, at a temperature above 70 ° C. and below 120 ° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the catalytic generation of formic acid at an oxygen partial pressure below 1 bar and regeneration of the catalyst used therefor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120° C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps. a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

Abstract: A light diffusing, insulating glass element is disclosed comprising two thin silicate glass panels (1, 2) each about 2 mm thick, and a thick intermediary layer (3) about 15 to 20 mm thick. The intermediary layer (3) is made from a foamed-up acrylate glass having closed bubbles. This layer has a specific weight of approximately 20 to 30 kg/m.sup.3 and a light transmissivity of 60 to 80% for a layer thickness of 20 mm. A shatterproofing splinter-bonding transparent layer (5) is located between one of the glass panels (1, 2) and the intermediate layer (3) and is bonded to them. The other glass panel is bonded to the intermediate layer (3) by means of a thin adhesive coat.The insulating glass element is light and, because of its safety-glass properties, is particularly well suited for ceiling use.