Patent ID: 7304014

Claim:
A modified catalyst comprising: one or more prepared metal oxide catalysts which are altered subsequent to calcination using one or more treatments, selected from the group consisting of: a) chemical treatment comprising contacting with a reducing agent comprising pyridine; b) chemical treatment comprising extraction with oxalic acid in methanol; c) combined physical and chemical treatment comprising cryo-grinding followed by Soxhlet extraction with an organic solvent comprising an alcohol; d) combined physical and chemical treatment comprising cryo-grinding followed by extraction with oxalic acid in methanol; and e) chemical treatment comprising extraction with an alcohol followed by physical treatment comprising densification of the catalyst by performing an extra press procedure; wherein the modified catalyst comprises one or more modified mixed metal oxide catalysts having the empirical formula: M e MoV a Nb b X c Z d O n wherein M e is at least one chemical modifying agent selected from the group consisting of a reducing agent, an oxidizing agent, and an alcohol, X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te and Sb, Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of W, Cr, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf, Mn, Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag, Zn, B, Al, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Pb, P, Bi, Y, rare earth elements and alkaline earth elements, 0.1 ≦a≦1.0, 0.01≦b≦1.0, 0.01≦c≦1.0, 0≦d≦1.0 and n, e are determined by the oxidation states of the other elements, and wherein the modified catalyst exhibits one or more differences in chemical, physical, structural properties and combinations thereof, as compared to the unmodified prepared catalyst.