Catalytic performance of Cs2.5Fe0.08H1.26PVMo11O40 for direct oxidation of lower alkanes

Abstract

Keggin-type 12-molybdophosphates have been found to catalyze the selective oxidation of isobutane, propane, and ethane into methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and ethene, respectively, with molecular oxygen. Cs+-, Fe3+-, or Ni2+-substitution for H+ and V5+-substitution for Mo6+ in H3PMo12O40 enhanced the catalytic activity for the oxidation of propane. Among the catalysts tested Cs2.5Fe0.08H1.26PVMo11O40 gave the highest yield of acrylic acid: 13%. It was suggested by IR, XRD, TG-DTA data that the Keggin structure was maintained during the oxidation.