SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF C-4 HYDROCARBONS TO MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE

Recent developments in the C4 process for making maleic anhydride have been critically reviewed. Major work in this field deals with the development of catalysts for this reaction. V-P-0 catalysts often containing activating agents have been widely described in the patent literature to give good yields of maleic anhydride. Some important characteristics of vanadium-phosphorus catalysts have been discussed. Kinetics and mechanisms of butene and butane oxidation reactions to maieic anhydride have also been presented. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.