Mo-V-Nb mixed oxides as catalysts in the selective oxidation of ethane

Mo-V-Nb-O mixed metal oxides, obtained by heat-treatment in N(2) at 425degreesC, have been studied as catalysts in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. They present higher catalytic activity, while maintaining the same selectivity to ethylene, than the corresponding metal oxides calcined under air. Both amorphous and crystalline phases are present on active and selective catalysts. The implications of the presence of these phases as well as their physicochemical characteristics on the nature of active and selective sites are discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.