Process for the removal of hydrogen cyanide and formic acid from synthesis gas

A process for the removal of hydrogen cyanide, formic acid and formic acid derivatives from synthesis gas comprising these compounds, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the process comprising contacting the synthesis gas with a catalyst comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, palladium, platinum and their mixtures and supported on a carrier comprising at least one of the oxides of scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, titanium, zirconium, aluminium, zinc, chromium and molybdenum, to remove the formic acid by catalytic non-oxidative decomposition and to remove the hydrogen cyanide by catalytic hydrolysis of hydrogen cyanide to carbon monoxide and ammonia, and wherein hydrogen cyanide is decomposed to carbon monoxide and ammonia and formic acid is decomposed to carbon dioxide and hydrogen.