Enhancing the productivity of isobutane selective oxidation over a Mo-V-P-As-Cs-Cu-O heteropoly acid catalyst

Ways of enhancing the productivity of isobutane selective oxidation over a Keggin-type heteropoly acid catalyst, Mo(12)V(0.)5P(1.5)As(0.4)Cu(0.3)Cs(1.4)O(x), have been studied. Productivity increased with increasing temperature and isobutane partial pressure, although was limited by the complete consumption of oxygen and the catalyst thermal stability. Productivity was higher at short contact times. Simultaneously raising the total pressure and the space velocity enhanced the productivity up to 6.4 mmol methacrolein+methacrylic acid/h/g(cat), which would be acceptable for an industrial application of the process.