Selective oxidation of propane over PMoVM/α‐Al 2 O 3 (M: Co, Fe, or Ni)

Alumina supported phosphovanodomolybdic acid and alumina supported phosphovanodomolybdic acid‐transition metal ions (M: Fe 3+ , Co 2+ , or Ni 2+ ) were prepared by impregnation. The thermal decomposition, in situ at 400°C, of supported catalysts showed the formation of V 2 O 5 , P 2 O 5 , MoO 3 and MoO 3 , CoMoO 4 , (Mo 0.3 V 0.7 ) 2 O 5 phases, on the alumina surface, in the presence of H 4 PMo 11 VO 40 /α‐Al 2 O 3 and H 4 PMo 11 VO 40 Co/α‐Al 2 O 3 , respectively. The catalytic activity of alumina‐supported catalysts was evaluated in the reaction of propane oxidation at 380 and 400°C. The addition of transition metal increases the conversion and changes the reaction products distribution. The reaction conditions (temperature and propane/oxygen ratio) have also modified the behaviour of the studied catalysts.