Acido-basic and catalytic properties of well characterized VPO catalysts prepared by different methods

The acido-basic properties of well characterized VPO catalysts prepared according to different methods have been compared using the 2-propanol decomposition test through propene and acetone formation. The catalysts prepared according to the method using VCl3 + V2O5 starting materials presented higher specific acidity than those prepared according to the method using V2O5 starting materials. Moreover the former catalytic system which consisted of an oxidized surface (γVOPO4) in interaction with reduced matrix ((VO)2P2O7) were more performant in maleic anhydride production from n-butane oxidation than the later. The two mechanistic steps of reaction pathway i.e. activation of n-butane and oxidative cyclization of dehydrogenated butane were discussed in terms of acidic and redox properties of VPO catalysts