Supported mixed metal oxide catalyst

Abstract

A supported catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide is useful for the vapor phase catalytic partial oxidation of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, to an unsaturated carboxylic acid and for the vapor phase ammoxidation of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, to an unsaturated nitrile.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A catalytic process, said process comprising: 
 a) providing precursors for a mixed metal oxide catalyst having the empirical formula      Mo a V b E c X d O e      wherein E is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te and Sb; X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, W, Ti, Al, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pt, Bi, B, In, Ce, Se, As, Ge, Sn, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Hf. Ag, Pb, P, Pm,Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; and, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0 and e is dependent on the oxidation state of the other elements;    b) calcining an admixture of said precursors to form said mixed metal oxide catalyst;    c) forming said mixed metal oxide catalyst into a catalyst structure by at least one technique selected from the group consisting of (1) contacting said catalyst with a pre-formed and self-supporting, multidimensional structure, (2) forming a composition comprising said catalyst into a self-supporting, multidimensional structure and (3) admixing said catalyst with a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, Nb 2 O 5 , cordierite, partially stabilized zirconia and alumina/silica fiber; and    d) subjecting a feed including an alkane or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene to a vapor phase catalytic partial oxidation reaction in the presence of said catalyst structure.    
   
   
       10 . The process according to  claim 9 , wherein said feed further comprises ammonia.