Novel catalyst for oxidizing olefins in .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes and preparation thereof

Abstract

A novel catalyst composition is disclosed which comprises a catalytically-active metal oxide component containing the oxides of cobalt, molybdenum, bismuth, and iron corresponding to the empirical formula: Co.sub.a Mo.sub.12 Fe.sub.b Bi.sub.c O.sub.x wherein: A is a value of between about 8 and about 10, B is a value of between about 0.5 and about 2, C is a value of between about 0.5 and about 2, And x equals the sum of 1.5c+1.5b+a+36 and including a crystalline phase having the empirical formula Bi.sub.2 Mo.sub.2 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.12. The catalyst composition is prepared by subjecting a conventionally prepared precursor composition to a two-step calcination, comprising two calcining procedures at a temperature of 450.degree.-500.degree. C. and an intermediate cooling to ambient temperature. The novel catalysts exhibit a high activity and selectivity in a process for preparing .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes by oxidizing olefins.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.