Process for producing unsaturated aldehydes, and unsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

At least one compound from the group of unsaturated hydrocarbons of three to four carbon atoms and t-butyl alcohol is oxidized catalytically in the gas phase in the presence of molecular oxygen at 200.degree.-450.degree. C to produce the corresponding aldehyde or acid over a calcined catalyst of the formula Mo.sub.a Sb.sub.b Bi.sub.c Fe.sub.d Ni.sub.e Sn.sub.f X.sub.g Y.sub.h O.sub.i wherein X is at least one of potassium, rubidium or cesium, Y is at least one of cobalt, uranium, germanium, tungsten or titanium, a to h are atomic ratios wherein a=12, b=0.2 to 20, c=0.2 to 12, d=0.2 to 12, e=0.2 to 12, f=0 to 20, g=0.01 to 4 and h=0 to 6 and i is a value determined by the oxidation state of the metal atoms in the catalyst.An embodiment of the calcined catalyst of the invention has the formula Mo.sub.a Sb.sub.b Bi.sub.c Fe.sub.d Ni.sub.e Sn.sub.f X.sub.g Y.sub.h Z.sub.j O.sub.i wherein X and y are as defined above and Z is palladium and a to j are atomic ratios wherein a=12, b=0.2 to 20, c=0.2 to 12, d=0.2 to 12, e=0.2 to 12, f=0 to 20, g=0.01 to 4, h=0.01 to 3, j=0.01 to 3 and i assumes a value determined by the oxidation states of the metal atoms in the catalyst.