Method for the preparation of vanadium-antimony-oxide based oxidation and ammoxidation catalysts using non-aqueous media

A process for the preparation of a vanadium antimony oxide catalyst comprising vanadium, antimony, at least one of tin, titanium, iron, chromium and gallium, and optionally at least one element selected from the group consisting of lithium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, germanium, niobium, zirconium, molybdenum, tungsten, copper, tellurium, tantalum, selenium, bismuth, cerium, indium, arsenic, boron, aluminum, and manganese, wherein the relative ratios of these elements are represented by the following general formula:

• V1SbmAaDdOx
• wherein A is at least one of Ti, Sn, Fe, Cr, and Ga.
• D when present is at least one of Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb,
• Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, and Mn,
• m is between about 0.5 to about 10
• a is between about 0 to about 10
• d is 0 to about 10, and
• x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,
• wherein the process comprises (i) forming a catalyst precursor slurry comprising a vanadium containing compound and an antimony containing compound in a liquid solvent medium which comprises at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of nitriles, carboxylic acids, amines, and sulfides, and (ii) recovering a vanadium antimony oxide from the slurry by drying the slurry in order to remove the liquid solvent medium.