Correlation Between Catalytic and Structural Properties of Modified Molybdenum and Vanadium Oxides in the Oxidation of Ethane in Acetic Acid or Ethylene

Abstract The structural and catalytic properties in the oxidation and dehydrogenation of ethane of two catalytic systems, VPO (P/V = 1.15/1) and MoVNb (Mo/V/Nb = 0.73/0.18/0.09) are examined. Methods of preparation are improved and seen to influence strongly the catalytic behavior. A general scheme is the formation of acetic acid at low temperature (200–300°C) and low conversion, and of ethylene at high temperature (350–500°C). The presence of ethylene with acetic acid at low temperature is observed when VPO is doped or when MoVNb is prepared in oxalic acid. Considerations on the nature of active oxygens on the surface of the solids are proposed.