Selective oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde over V-Mg-O catalysts

No visible changes in the performance of the catalyst (methanol conversion, formaldehyde yield and selectivity) were detected during the 60 h of operation in prolonged runs. Characterization of the catalyst by XRD, IR, and UV methods suggests the formation of species of the pyrovanadate type (Mg2V2O7) with irregular structure on the surface of a V-Mg-O catalyst. These species make the catalyst efficient for methanol ODH.