Lonza Inc.

Graphene-Xt S.r.l.

Simone Ligi

Fabrizio Cavani

Stefania Albonetti

Gianluca Mazzoni

Active vanadium/phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst for the conversion of non-aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., n-butane, into maleic anhydride. The catalyst is prepared from the catalyst precursor, that is, prepared by the reaction of a source of vanadium in an organic medium in the presence of a phosphorus source. The organic medium is (a) isobutyl alcohol or a mixture of isobutyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol and (b) a polyol. The catalyst precurso is transformed into the active catalyst by an activation process that includes a heat treatment that includes applying a temperature of up to 600&#xb0; C.

Vanadium/phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst

A process for the preparation of a vanadium/phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst precursor is described, comprising the reaction of a vanadium source in selected organic media in the presence of a phophorus source. The medium comprises: (a) isobutyl alcohol or a mixture of isobutyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol and (b) a polyol in the weight ratio (a) to (b) of 99:1 to 5:95. After its activation, the vanadium/phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst precursor is an excellent catalyst in the conversion of non-aromatic hydrocarbons like n-butane to malic anhydride.

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Montefelcino, Italy

Simone Ligi