Heterogeneous metal oxide catalysts are widely studied for the aerobic oxidations of C1–C4 alkanes to form olefins and oxygenates. In this review, we outline the properties of supported metal oxides, mixed-metal oxides, and zeolites and detail their most common applications as catalysts for partial oxidations of light alkanes. By doing this we establish similarities between different classes of metal oxides and identify common themes in reaction mechanisms and research strategies for catalyst improvement. For example, almost all partial alkane oxidations, regardless of the metal oxide, follow Mars–van Krevelen reaction kinetics, which utilize lattice oxygen atoms to reoxidize the reduced metal centers while the gaseous O2 reactant replenishes these lattice oxygen vacancies. Many of the most-promising metal oxide catalysts include V5+ surface species as a necessary constituent to convert the alkane. Transformations involving sequential oxidation steps (i.e., propane to acrylic acid) require specific reacti...

Aerobic Oxidations of Light Alkanes over Solid Metal Oxide Catalysts

Owning to its biobased organic acid, low cost and multiple reactive functionalities as it contains both one carboxylic acid group and hydroxyl group, lactic acid has been described as a commodity chemical sleeping giant. In this review, the conversion of lactic acid to other important commodity chemicals, such as, poly L‐lactic acid, acrylic acid, 2, 3‐pentanedione, pyruvic acid, propanoic acid, 1, 2‐propanediol, acetaldehyde, ethyl lactate, using chemical or biological catalysts, and the economy analysis of conversions are depicted. The conversion would provide a new way for the solution of the present oil crisis.

Selective Catalysis of Lactic Acid to Produce Commodity Chemicals

Surface chemistry of phase-pure M1 MoVTeNb oxide during operation in selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid

Crystalline MoVO based complex oxides as selective oxidation catalysts of propane

Effects of framework and near surface composition of quinternary, phase-pure M1 MoVTeNb oxide catalysts on their catalytic performance in selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid have been studied. The catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis, spray-drying, and superheated water vapor treatment. Electron microscopy, chemical analysis, nitrogen physisorption, and in situ photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to characterize the materials. The yield of acrylic acid normalized to the specific surface area of the catalyst increases with decreasing percentage of Mo and increasing molar ratio of Te/V at the surface. The metal stoichiometry at the surface differs from the stoichiometry in the crystalline bulk and changes in response to the composition of the gas phase. In situ valence band spectroscopy at 623 K in the presence of all reactants revealed a substantial covalent character of the metal−oxygen bonds in M1. The surface restructuring under formation of V- and Te-containing clusters an...

Dynamics of the MoVTeNb Oxide M1 Phase in Propane Oxidation

The partial oxidation of propane has been investigated at a multicomponent oxidic catalyst in the temperature range 360 (° C ) . The kinetic measurements were carried out in an integrally operated fixed bed reactor with distributed local sampling. The oxygen–propane ratio in the feed has been varied in the range 1.5

Partial oxidation of propane to acrylic acid at a Mo–V–Te–Nb-oxide catalyst

The partial oxidation of propane and propene is investigated over a multi-component oxidic catalyst. Kinetic measurements were carried out in an integrally operated fixed-bed reactor with distributed local sampling. The selectivities to acrylic acid are above 60%. In the case of propane oxidation the highest yield obtained so far compares favorably with the values given in the open literature. In both cases the results can be described quantitatively by a network of parallel and consecutive first-order reactions.

E. Balcells

Papers

Partial oxidation of propane to acrylic acid at a Mo–V–Te–Nb-oxide catalyst

Partial Oxidation of Propane and Propene to Acrylic Acid over a Mo-V-Te-Nb Oxide Catalyst