The partial catalytic oxidation of toluene on vanadium and molybdenum oxides

The partial catalytic oxidation of toluene on pure and mixed vanadium and molybdenum oxides was studied over the temperature range 300-500 degrees C. The main reaction products were maleic anhydride (MA), benzaldehyde (BA), and carbon oxides (CO (x) ) depending on the catalyst composition and reactor temperature. The samples containing more than 50% vanadium were characterized by conversion and selectivity close to those of pure vanadium oxide V2O5. Reaction temperature was found to influence the amount of products formed, primarily the amounts of MA and BA. The role played by the generation of the singlet molecular oxygen form in the samples and its influence on the selectivity of the reaction is considered.