Mesostructured mixed Mo–V–Nb oxides for propane ammoxidation

Mesostructured Mo–V–Nb mixed oxide phases were prepared by reacting inorganic precursors in the presence of cationic, anionic and alkylamine surfactants. The occurrence of these mesostructured phases was explained in part by charge-matching considerations at the inorganic–organic interface. Other interactions, such as covalent bonding between the surfactant headgroup and metal atoms, could direct the self-assembly process. Despite of the limited thermal stability of the mesophases, the air-calcined phases were catalytically active and selective for propane ammoxidation to acrylonitrile and acetonitrile. The selectivities to acrylonitrile and acetonitrile were as high as 26 and 49 mol%, respectively, at 66% propane conversion.