Hydrogen generation from formic acid decomposition by ruthenium carbonyl complexes. Tetraruthenium dodecacarbonyl tetrahydride as an active intermediate.

The present Minireview covers the formation and the structural characterization of noble metal carbonyl and hydrido carbonyl complexes, with particular emphasis on ruthenium complexes using formic acid as a carbonyl and hydride source. The catalytic activity of these organometallic compounds for the decarboxylation of formic acid, a potential hydrogen storage material, is also reviewed. In addition, the first preparation of [Ru(4)(CO)(12)H(4)] from RuCl(3) and formic acid as well as the catalytic activity of [Ru(4)(CO)(12)H(4)] for the decomposition of formic acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide are presented.