In situ FTIR study of n-butane selective oxidation to maleic anhydride on V-P-O catalysts

The selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride on vanadium-phosphorus-oxygen (V-P-O) catalysts having P to V ratios of 0.9, 1.0, and 1.1 was studied by transmission infrared spectroscopy. Catalysts were exposed to mixtures of 1.5% n-butane in air at temperatures from 100 to 500°C. Adsorbed n-butane, maleic anhydride, and carbon oxide species were observed on the catalyst surfaces. In addition, adsorbed maleic acid and highly reactive olefinic species could be detected. The nature of the adsorbed species present on the catalyst surface was dependent on the catalyst phosphorus loading, the reaction temperature, and the time of exposure under reaction conditions.