Patent ID: 7816298

Claim:
An unsupported catalyst precursor composition of the formula A v [(M P )(OH) x (L) n y ] z (M VIB O 4 ), wherein A comprises at least one of an alkali metal cation, an ammonium, an organic ammonium and a phosphonium cation; M P is at least one of a Group IIB metal, a Group IVA metal, a Group IIA metal, and combinations thereof, P is oxidation state with M P having an oxidation state of either +2 or +4; 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, wherein the unsupported catalyst precursor is obtained in a process comprising co-precipitating a reaction mixture at reaction conditions forming a precipitate or cogel, and performing solid-liquid separation to collect the unsupported catalyst precursor.