Promoted cobalt catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of paraffins having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms is carried out in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt; phosphorus; at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of zinc, titanium, zirconium, niobium, indium, lead and bismuth; and oxygen. The catalyst composition also comprises at least one alkali metal and/or at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine. The selectivity of the catalyst composition is improved by the presence of the at least one alkali metal. The conversion of the catalyst composition is improved by the presence of the at least one halogen.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.