Process for production of formaldehyde from dimethyl ether
AssigneeRegents of the University of California Office of Technology Licensing
InventorsHaichao Liu, Enrique Iglesia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Dimethyl ether is converted to formaldehyde using a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides. The surface density of the oxide(s) ranges from greater than that for the isolated monomeric oxides upwards, so long as there is a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide(s). Conversion and selectivity to formaldehyde are improved as compared to data reported for known catalysts. Also disclosed is a catalyst comprising molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides supported on a layer of stannic oxide that is disposed on the surface of a particulate alumina or zirconia support.
Claims48
A process for the production of formaldehyde by oxidation of dimethyl ether in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide or a mixture of molybdenum and vanadium oxides, wherein the support is selected from catalyst supports that allow the formation of monolayers of molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide on the surface of the support but that do not substantially react with the molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide to form unreducible mixed oxides, wherein the molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, or mixture of such oxides is dispersed on the surface of the support, the surface density of the oxide or oxides on the support being greater than the surface density of the respective isolated monomeric oxide or oxides, and wherein the catalyst is characterized by a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides.
A process for the production of formaldehyde by oxidation of dimethyl ether in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide or a mixture of molybdenum and vanadium oxides, wherein the support is selected from alumina, zirconia, stannic oxide, titania and silica, and mixtures thereof, wherein the surface density of the oxide or oxides on the support is from about 50% of the surface density of a monolayer of the oxide or oxides to about 300% of the surface density of a monolayer of the oxide or oxides, and wherein the catalyst is characterized by a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides.
A catalyst comprising molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, or a mixture of molybdenum oxide and vanadium oxide supported on a layer of stannic oxide, the stannic oxide layer being disposed on a particulate alumina or zirconia support, in which the surface density of the molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide or oxides on the support is greater than that for the respective monomeric isolated oxide or oxides, and the catalyst is characterized by a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.