Biphasic synergy catalysis and active sites of VMgO catalysts for oxida- tive dehydrogenation of propane

THE oxidative dehydrogenation of propane （ODP） to propene is one of the potentially important catalytic processes for the effective utilization of light alkanes. The VMgO catalysts which have better catalytic performances for the reaction have aroused much interest and argument.Kung et al. proposed that the active phase was magnesium orthovanadate （Mg3V2O8）, but Volta et al. suggested that magnesium pyrovanadate （α-Mg2V2O7） was the active phase; in this phase, V4+ ions which are associated to the formation of oxygen vacancies could stably exist, and Mg3V2O8 is responsible for the total oxidation due to nonexistence of V4+ ions.