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 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.