Activated mixed metal oxide oxidation catalysts

A method for producing a catalyst by steps of:

• (a) providing a mixed metal oxide having the empirical formula
• AaVbNcXdZeOf
• wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mo and W, N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te and Sb, X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Ti, Al, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pt, Sb, Bi, B, In, As, Ge, Sn, Hf, Pb, P, Pm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ga, Ir, Sm, Pd, Au, Ag, Cu, Sc, Y, Pr, Nd and Tb;
• and wherein, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0, e=0 to 0.1 and f is dependent on the oxidation state of the other elements;
• (b) contacting the mixed metal oxide with water comprising 0.01-3% of a metal oxide precursor, based on contained metal as a percentage of total weight of metals in the mixed metal oxide and the metal oxide precursor, to form a modified mixed metal oxide;
• wherein the metal oxide precursor comprises at least one of Nb, Mo, V, W, Zr, Ta and Bi;
• and
• (c) calcining the modified mixed metal oxide to form a calcined modified mixed metal oxide.