Patent ID: 6781018
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
A process for the production of formaldehyde by oxidation of dimethyl ether in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide or a mixture of molybdenum and vanadium oxides, wherein the support is selected from catalyst supports that allow the formation of monolayers of molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide on the surface of the support but that do not substantially react with the molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide to form unreducible mixed oxides, wherein the molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, or mixture of such oxides is dispersed on the surface of the support, the surface density of the oxide or oxides on the support being greater than the surface density of the respective isolated monomeric oxide or oxides, and wherein the catalyst is characterized by a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides.