Steam-less process for converting butenes to 1,3-butadiene

A method for producing 1,3-butadiene, comprising:

• receiving a feed stream comprising 2-butene;
• and
• contacting the feed stream with a catalyst bed in the presence of an oxidant to convert the 2-butene to 1,3-butadiene,
• wherein the catalyst bed comprises a first layer comprising magnesium oxide and a second layer comprising tungsten oxide impregnated on an inorganic support,
• wherein the first layer is upstream of the second layer,
• wherein a volumetric ratio of the magnesium oxide to tungsten oxide impregnated on the inorganic support in the catalyst is in the range of 1:3 to 3:1, and
• wherein the contacting the feed stream with the catalyst to convert 2-butene to 1,3-butadiene achieves a 1,3-butadiene selectivity of at least 23%.