Noble metal chlorides ('RuCI~-xH20', 'RhC13"3H20', PdC12 and 'IrC13 "xH20' ) have been evaluated as catalyst precursors for the decomposition (HCO2H ~ H 2 + CO2), dehydration (HCO2H ~H20 + CO) and air oxidation (2HCO2H + O z ~2H20 + 2CO2) of 88% HCO2H at 75-80 ~ RhC13 under these conditions is an active oxidation catalyst but not an active decomposition catalyst. However, RuC1 a is an active decomposition catalyst but not an active oxidation catalyst. PdC12 exhibits modest but detectable activity for all three formic acid reactions (decomposition, dehydration and oxidation). IrCl 3 is a relatively active catalyst for all three HCO2H reactions. A comparison of the catalytic activities of the four noble metal chlorides for HCOzH decomposition under conditions where both the dehydration and air oxidation reactions are suppressed (4.4% aqueous HCOzH. Ar atmosphere) indicates the relative catalytic activity sequence: Ir >> Ru > Pd >> Rh (inactive).