Patent ID: 6919295

Claim:
A process for improving the performance characteristics of a catalyst, said process comprising: a) providing precursors for a mixed metal oxide catalyst having the empirical formula Mo a V b E c X d O e wherein E is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te and Sb; X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, W, Ti, Al, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pt, Bi, B, In, Ce, Se, As, Ge, Sn, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Hf, Ag, Pb, P, Pm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; and, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0 and e is dependent on the oxidation state of the other elements; b) calcining an admixture of said precursors to form said mixed metal oxide catalyst; and c) forming said mixed metal oxide catalyst into a catalyst structure by at least one technique selected from the group consisting of (1) contacting said catalyst with a pre-formed and self-supporting, multidimensional structure, (2) forming a composition comprising said catalyst into a self-supporting, multidimensional structure and (3) admixing said catalyst with a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, Nb 2 O 5 , cordierite, partially stabilized zirconia and alumina/silica fiber.