Anaerobic oxidation of isobutane: Catalytic properties of MgV2O6 and Mg2V2O7 prepared by the molten method

The catalytic activity of MV2O6 and M2V2O7 type oxides prepared by the molten method (MM) for anaerobic oxidation of isobutane was studied in order to construct a system for the selective oxidation of isobutene using a thin layer reactor. Isobutene, CO and CO2 were formed by every catalyst tested. The activities for isobutene formation were CuV2O6 > ZnV2O6, NiV2O6, CoV2O6 > MgV2O6 > MnV2O6 ≫ CaV2O6. Isobutene was a major product over M2V2O7 (MM). Co2V2O7 showed the highest activity and high isobutene selectivity exceeded 90%, demonstrating that Co2V2O7 is a suitable oxide for a thin layer reactor for anaerobic oxidation of isobutane. Partial substitution of Mg by Cu in Mg2V2O7 (MM) improved the activity. It is shown by the oxidation at low O2 concentration as 2–3% that two types of oxidations occurred simultaneously: isobutene formation by the lattice oxygen ions diffused from the bulk, and CO and CO2 formation by the oxygen species derived from molecular oxygen in the gas phase.

CuV2O6, Co2V2O7 and Mg1.8Cu0.2V2O7 prepared by molten method are suitable oxides for a thin layer reactor for anaerobic oxidation of isobutane. Two types of oxidations occurred simultaneously: isobutene formation by the lattice oxygen ions diffused from the bulk, and CO and CO2 formation by the oxygen species derived from molecular oxygen in the gas phase.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide