Transient FTIR studies of the reaction pathway for n-butane selective oxidiation over vanadyl pyrophosphate

New information has been provided about the reaction pathway for n-butane p artial oxidation to maleic anhydride over vanadyl pyrophosphate (VPO) catal ysts using FTIR spectroscopy under transient conditions. Adsorption studies of n-butane, 1,3-butadiene, and related oxygenates were performed to gain information about reaction intermediates. n-Butane was found to adsorb on t he VPO catalyst to form olefinic species at low temperatures. Unsaturated, noncyclic carbonyl species were determined to be precursors to maleic anhyd ride. (C) 1999 Academic Press.