The reaction mechanism of the selective oxidation of butane on (VO)2P2O7 catalysts: The role of oxygen in the reaction chain to maleic anhydride Original Research Article

Transient experiments in vacuo applying the Temporal-Analysis-of-Products (TAP) reactor were carried out to elucidate the role of oxygen in the reaction chain from n-butane to maleic anhydride over a quasi-equilibrated vanadyl pyrophosphate catalyst. The oxidation of butane and the intermediates butadiene and furan using 18O2 as oxygen source showed that a redox mechanism operates in all reaction steps including the conversion of furan to maleic anhydride. The formation of CO2, however, is explained by both a redox mechanism and a mechanism in which adsorbed oxygen species are involved.