CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF PROPANE OVER MOLYBDENUM-BASED MIXED OXIDES

Catalytic oxidation of propane to produce propene was investigated ove r molybdenum-based mixed oxide catalysts. Cobalt or magnesium oxide co mbined with molybdenum oxide exhibits the best catalytic performance f or the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. Catalytic activities of b oth Co-Mo-O and Mg-Mo-O vary drastically on the catalyst composition a nd Co(Mg)(0.95)Mo1.0OX having small amounts of free MoO3 on the Co(Mg) MoO4 surface shows the highest catalytic activity keeping a considerab ly high selectivity to propene. The catalytic activity also depends st rongly on the acidic properties of catalysts and MoO3 clusters formed on the surface of Co(Mg)MoO4 are responsible for the activities for th e oxidative dehydrogenation of propane.