Provided is a method of preparing a pure M1 phase MoVTeNb-oxide catalyst with a high specific surface area, including S1) mixing and dissolving a molybdenum-containing compound, a vanadium-containing compound, a tellurium-containing compound, a niobium-containing compound and a protective agent to obtain a precursor-protective agent mixed solution, in which the protective agent is a surfactant or a small molecule organic acid and a salt thereof; S2) subjecting the precursor-protective agent mixed solution to a hydrothermal reaction to separate out a solid; S3) calcining the solid in an air atmosphere, followed by calcining the same in an inert gas, and then performing a hydrogen peroxide purification treatment to obtain a pure M1 phase MoVTeNb-oxide catalyst. This catalyst exhibits an excellent conversion rate, selectivity, space time yield and stability in the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of ethane for preparing ethylene.

The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane comprises contacting a mixture of ethane and oxygen in an ODH reactor with an ODH catalyst under conditions that promote oxidation of ethane into ethylene. Conditions within the reactor are controlled by the operator and include, but are not limited to, parameters such as 5 temperature, pressure, and flow rate. Conditions will vary and can be optimized for a specific catalyst, or whether an inert diluent is used in the mixing of the reactants. Disclosed herein is a catalyst consisting of: Mo.sub.0-1W.sub.0.3-1V.sub.0.2-0.4Te.sub.0.06-0.10Fe.sub.0.0-0.10Nb.sub.0.08-0.18O.sub.X where X is determined by the valance of the metals.

The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane comprises contacting a mixture of ethane and oxygen in an ODH reactor with an ODH catalyst under conditions that promote oxidation of ethane into ethylene. Conditions within the reactor are controlled by the operator and include, but are not limited to, parameters such as 5 temperature, pressure, and flow rate. Conditions will vary and can be optimized for a specific catalyst, or whether an inert diluent is used in the mixing of the reactants. Disclosed herein is a catalyst consisting of: Mo.sub.0-1W.sub.0.3-1V.sub.0.2-0.4Te.sub.0.06-0.10Fe.sub.0.0-0.10Nb.sub.0.08-0.18O.sub.X where X is determined by the valance of the metals.

Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts comprising MoVNbTeO having improved consistency of composition and a 25% conversion of ethylene at less than 420° C. and a selectivity to ethylene above 95% are prepared by treating the catalyst precursor with H.sub.2O.sub.2 in an amount equivalent to 0.30-2.8 mL H.sub.2O.sub.2 of a 30% solution per gram of catalyst precursor prior to calcining and treating the resulting catalyst with the equivalent amount of peroxide after calcining.

Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts comprising MoVNbTeO having improved consistency of composition and a 25% conversion of ethylene at less than 420° C. and a selectivity to ethylene above 95% are prepared by treating the catalyst precursor with H.sub.2O.sub.2 in an amount equivalent to 0.30-2.8 mL H.sub.2O.sub.2 of a 30% solution per gram of catalyst precursor prior to calcining and treating the resulting catalyst with the equivalent amount of peroxide after calcining.

A catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane with an empirical formula Mo—V—Te—Nb—Pd—O produced using a process comprising impregnation of the Pd component on the surface of the catalyst following a calcination step using a Pd compound free of halogens. The resulting catalyst can be used in both diluted and undiluted ODH processes and shows higher than expected activity without any loss of selectivity.

A catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane with an empirical formula Mo—V—Te—Nb—Pd—O produced using a process comprising impregnation of the Pd component on the surface of the catalyst following a calcination step using a Pd compound free of halogens. The resulting catalyst can be used in both diluted and undiluted ODH processes and shows higher than expected activity without any loss of selectivity.

The invention relates to a process of the oxidative dehydrogenation of an alkane containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms and/or the oxidation of an alkene containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the alkane and/or alkene is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide and one or more diluents selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and steam, and wherein the conversion of the alkane and/or alkene is at least 40%.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a shaped catalyst for alkane oxidative dehydrogenation and/or alkene oxidation, which comprises: a) preparing a mixed metal oxide catalyst containing molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and optionally tellurium; b) mixing the catalyst obtained in step a), a binder and optionally water, wherein the binder has a surface area greater than 100 m.sup.2/g and a water loss upon heating at a temperature of 485° C. which is greater than 1 wt. %; c) shaping the mixture obtained in step b) to form a shaped catalyst by means of tableting; and d) subjecting the shaped catalyst obtained in step c) to an elevated temperature. Further, the invention relates to a catalyst obtainable by said process and to a process of alkane oxidative dehydrogenation and/or alkene oxidation wherein said catalyst is used.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a shaped catalyst for alkane oxidative dehydrogenation and/or alkene oxidation, which comprises: a) preparing a mixed metal oxide catalyst containing molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and optionally tellurium; b) mixing the catalyst obtained in step a), a binder and optionally water, wherein the binder has a surface area greater than 100 m.sup.2/g and a water loss upon heating at a temperature of 485° C. which is greater than 1 wt. %; c) shaping the mixture obtained in step b) to form a shaped catalyst by means of tableting; and d) subjecting the shaped catalyst obtained in step c) to an elevated temperature. Further, the invention relates to a catalyst obtainable by said process and to a process of alkane oxidative dehydrogenation and/or alkene oxidation wherein said catalyst is used.