Formic acid is produced as a primary product from CORR over diverse catalysts.
Catalysts that promote Formic Acid production from CO operate by strongly binding to both oxygen atoms of CO, allowing protons to attack the central carbon. After attacking the central carbon, one proton attaching to an oxygen results in the creation of formate. Indium catalysts promote formate production because the Indium-Oxygen binding energy is stronger than the Indium-Carbon binding energy. This promotes the production of formate instead of Carbon Monoxide.