Total oxidation of propane on Pt/WOx/Al2O3 catalysts by formation of metastable Ptδ+ species interacted with WOx clusters

► The activity of Pt/Al2O3 catalyst for C3H8 oxidation is promoted by WOx addition. ► The Ptδ+/Pt ratio increases with WOx surface density. ► The reducibility of metastable Ptδ+ species correlates with the catalytic activity. ► simple redox model is presented involving the initial CH bond activation.