Patent ID: 8343887

Claim:
A process for forming an unsupported catalyst precursor composition having a formula A v [(M P )(OH) x (L) n y ] z (M VIB O 4 ) the process comprising: forming a first reaction mixture having a pH from about 1 to about 6, the first reaction mixture comprising: at least a metal compound selected from Group VIII, Group IIB, Group IIA, Group IVA and combinations thereof, at least a Group VIB metal compound, at least one organic oxygen-containing ligand, at least a silicon component, at least an aluminum component, and at least a magnesium component; adding a basic alkali component to form a second reaction mixture having a pH between 7 to 12; reacting the second reaction mixture for a time sufficient forming a precipitate or cogel; performing a solid-liquid separation to collect the unsupported catalyst precursor; and drying the unsupported catalyst precursor at a temperature of less than 200° C. forming the catalyst precursor having the formula A v [(M P )(OH) x (L) n y ] z (M VIB O 4 ), which catalyst precursor has an X-ray diffraction pattern that is amorphous with broad peaks or an X-ray diffraction pattern with at least a crystalline peak at Bragg angle between 52.7° to 53.2° theta; wherein A is at least one of an alkali metal cation, an ammonium, an organic ammonium and a phosphonium cation, M P is selected from Group VIII, Group IIB, Group IIA, Group IVA and combinations thereof, P is oxidation state with M P having an oxidation state of either +2 or +4 depending on the selection of M P , L is at least one organic oxygen-containing ligand, M VIB is at least a Group VIB metal, having an oxidation state of +6, M P :M VIB has an atomic ratio of 100:1 to 1:100, v−2+P*z−x*z+n*y*z=0; and 0<y≦−P/n; 0<x≦P; 0<v≦2; 0<z.