SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF N-PENTANE AND 2-PENTENE OVER (VO)2P2O7 - CONTINUOUS-FLOW AND TRANSIENT STUDIES AT SUBATMOSPHERIC PRESSURES

The oxidation of n-pentane and 2-pentene on vanadyl pyrophosphate [(VO)2P2O7] is investigated in low-pressure continuous-flow and transient-response experiments. New information is obtained on important aspects of the reaction mechanism. Transient-response experiments performed under anaerobic conditions suggest that an adsorbed organic species is active in the formation of phthalic anhydride. The detection of methylfuran indicates that it may be an intermediate in the formation of maleic anhydride.