Oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes over vanadium oxide prepared with V(t-BuO)3O and Si(OEt)4 in the presence of polyethyleneglycol

► VOx incorporated into SiO2 catalysts were prepared by the alkoxy-exchange reaction between metal alkoxides and polyethyleneglycol. ► The mixed alkoxide was calcined in air to give isolated VO43− incorporated SiO2. ►The prepared catalysts have very high surface areas up to 1000 m2/g and isolated VO43− species. ► The catalysts exhibited high propylene selectivity above 95% in the ODHP using lattice oxygen of VOx.