PROPANE AND ISOBUTANE OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION WITH K, CA AND P-DOPED ALPHA-NICKEL, AND BETA-NICKEL MOLYBDATE CATALYSTS

While the catalytic performances of stoichiometric nickel molybdate in the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane into isobutene and methacr olein are improved by the addition of potassium oxides, the oxidation of propane to propene is mainly affected by calcium oxides. The select ivity towards the corresponding alkenes and specifically the methacrol ein selectivity are also affected by the active catalyst phase and the oxygen/alkane ratio in the feed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.