Selective oxidation of methanol to form dimethoxymethane and methyl formate over a monolayer V2O5/TiO2 catalyst

- The oxidation of methanol over a monolayer V2O5/TiO2 catalyst was examined.
- At low temperatures, dimethoxymethane and methyl formate are the main products.
- Under mild conditions, the production of formaldehyde is greatly inhibited.
- According to in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the reaction involves reversible reduction of V5+ cations.
- The oxidation of methanol proceeds through the classical Mars-van Krevelen mechanism.