CATALYSTS FOR OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OF ISOBUTYRIC ACID

The catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutyric acid has been st udied with an Mo-V-P oxide catalyst coated on Aerosil. The oxidation m ain products involve methacrylic acid, acetone, propylene, and CO2. Lo wering of the oxidation state of vanadium in the catalyst to V-IV is c onnected with a distinct decrease in the catalyst activity and its sel ectivity for methacrylic acid. Increasing phosphorous content in the c atalyst causes a mild increase in its activity along with an increased yield of methacrylic acid. A modification of the said catalyst with c obalt results in its activity decrease and lowers the yield of methacr ylic acid. By means of IR spectroscopy it has been found that isobutyr ic and methacrylic acids are adsorbed on the surface of the catalysts studied already at room temperature, which is connected with formation of the corresponding carboxylates.