FEPO CATALYSTS FOR THE SELECTIVE OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OF ISOBUTYRIC ACID INTO METHACRYLIC-ACID

This review presents the iron phosphorus oxides used as catalysts for isobutyric acid oxidative dehydrogenation. Research on this catalytic system has been developed in the last decade and many publications hav e been devoted to this reaction, as it can be a step in a new process of production of methyl methacrylate. We emphasize particularly the na ture of the active phase, the active centers, and the role of water an d promoters. The mechanistic aspects of the reaction, which correspond s to an extension of the Mars and van Krevelen mechanism with a specia l role of water partial pressure, are discussed.