| abstract |
Mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is provided as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids or unsaturated nitriles, from alkanes or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by: contacting a contact member liquid selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide to form a contact mixture, recovering the insoluble material from the contact mixture, calcining the insoluble material recovered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, mixing the insoluble material recovered calcined with (i) at least one accelerating element or compound thereof and (ii) at least one solvent for the at least one accelerating element or compound thereof, removing the at least one solvent to form a catalytic precursor, and calcining the catalytic precursor |