Mixed metal oxide catalysts and use thereof

A process for producing phenol, the process comprising:

• (i) hydroalkylating benzene with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising cyclohexylbenzene;
• (ii) contacting at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene with an oxygen-containing compound in the presence of an oxidation catalyst under oxidation conditions effective to produce an oxidation product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide;
• and
• (iii) contacting at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide with a cleavage catalyst under conditions to convert said cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide to phenol and cyclohexanone, wherein the cleavage catalyst comprises:
• (a) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 3 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein Group 3 includes the Lanthanide series;
• (b) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements;
• and
• (c) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of at least one element selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein the wt % s are based upon the total combined weight of the oxides in (a) through (c) and excludes any other components.

A mixed metal oxide catalyst composition comprising:

• (a) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 3 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein Group 3 includes the Lanthanide series;
• (b) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements;
• and
• (c) an oxide of at least one element selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein the wt % s are based upon the total combined weight of the oxides in (a) through (c) and excludes any other components.