Noncatalytic Cannizzaro-type Reaction of Formaldehyde in Hot Water

In hot water heated up to 250 °C and 4 MPa, methanol and formic acid are produced from the Cannizzaro-type reaction of formaldehyde without a catalyst, although this disproportionation reaction is well-known to occur in the presence of a large amount of base catalysts in ambient conditions. Formic acid further undergoes the hydride transfer reaction with formaldehyde, and the final yield of methanol exceeds 50%.