Oxidation of Butane to Maleic Anhydride on Unmodified and Modified Vanadium-Phosphorus Catalysts

Abstract

Properties of modified vanadium-phosphorus catalysts were studied and compared with the unmodified catalyst in the oxidation of butane. The highest promoting effect has been achieved by introducing cobalt to the catalyst lattice. At 90% conversion, the yield of maleic anhydride amounted to 59 mole per cent. The catalyst modified by cobalt increased the specific rate of butane oxidation and maleic anhydride formation three times compared to the unmodified catalyst. The specific activity of the catalysts decreased in the following order: Co > U ~ Ce > V-P-O > K ~ Mo.