Patent ID: 7910772

Claim:
A process for the oxidation of an alkane, alkene or mixtures thereof, the process comprising the step of contacting an alkane, alkene or mixture thereof and molecular oxygen with a catalyst comprising a mixed-metal oxide having the formula: Mo a V b Nb c Te d Sb e O f wherein, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0, e=0.01 to 1.0, and f is dependent upon the oxidation state of the other elements, said catalyst further characterized by having at least two crystal phases, the first crystal phase being an orthorhombic M1 phase and the second crystal phase being a pseudo-hexagonal M2 phase, said orthorhombic M1 phase present in an amount between greater than 60 weight percent to less than 90 weight percent, and wherein said catalyst exhibits a chemisorption of NH 3 of less than about 0.2 mmole per gram of metal oxide.