1045.    FISCHER, F., TROPSCH, H., AND SCHELLENBERG, A.  [Decomposition of Barium, Magnesium, and Lithium Formates.]  Ges. Abhandl. Kenntnis Kohle, vol. 6, 1921, pp. 355-359; Chem. Abs., vol. 18, 1924, p. 3170.

       Ba formate decomposes in the Al distillation apparatus at 350°-375° with considerable frothing; 45.5 gm. gave 2.2 gm. of MeOH and 0.1 gm. of oil, the residue containing some C.  On decomposing Ba formate with superheated steam the aqueous distillate contained HCHO and HCO₂H.  Contrary to Berthelot’s statement, the gas contained no CH, and no unsaturated hydrocarbons.  Mg formate decomposed at 400°-425°, giving an aqueous distillate; the residue and gas together contained 1.36 gm.-atoms of C per gm.-mol. of formate.  Li formate decomposed at 350°, giving an alcoholic liquid but no oil.  Heated with H₂O under pressure at 350°, it gave only gaseous products and carbonate.