Thermal decomposition of supported magnesium formate has been studied by gas chro-matography.The reaction paths of decomposition of supported magnesium formate depend on thenature of the supports.For Mg(HCO_2)_2/HZSM-5,the zeolite behaves as a dehydration catalyst togive CO and H_2O at lower temperatures;when the zeolite is modified by phosphorus,the methanationreaction will be partly restrained.In the case of Mg(HCO_2)_2/AC,strong adsorption of CO_2 leadsto the formation of the shoulder peak of CO_2 at higher temperatures,however,CH_4 disappears aftermodified by phosphorus.For Mg(HCO_2)_2/Al_2O_3,the dehydrogenation of HCO_2~- takes place on thesurface of Al_2O_3.The decomposition of Mg(HCO_2)_2 on SiO_2 in hydrogen yields two peaks of COand only one appears after modified by phosphorus.When Mg(HCO_2)_2 decomposes on MgO,the firstpeak of CO_2 arises from the reaction of surface Mg~(2+) with HCO_2~- from dissociated Mg(HCO_2)_2.