The role of vanadium in ammonium salt of heteropoly molybdate supported on niobia for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

A series of vanadium containing ammonium salt of molybdophosphoric acid supported on niobia catalysts were prepared. The catalysts with varying the number of vanadium atoms in the primary structure of heteropoly molybdate were also prepared. These catalysts were tested for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The oxidation ability of the catalysts depended on the amount of vanadium containing heteropoly molybdate and the number of vanadium atoms present in the Keggin ion. The activity results were discussed based on the role of vanadium, its content and the stability of Keggin ion derived from the characterization methods.