Process to produce high surface area nanoparticle vanadium phosphorus oxide catalyst and product derives thereof

A process to produce vanadium phosphorus oxide catalysts, comprising the steps of:

• (a) reducing vanadium-containing compounds in an alcohol solution selected from the group consisting of isobutanol and benzyl alcohol, and combinations thereof, under reflux for 4 to 6 hours to form a suspended mixture;
• (b) reacting dopants and phosphorus-containing compounds with the suspended mixture under reflux for 30 minutes to 3 hours to form precursors of the vanadium phosphorus oxide catalysts;
• (c) drying the formed precursors;
• and
• (d) calcining the dried precursors in a flow of gaseous hydrocarbon and air mixture at 400 to 460° C. to form activated vanadium phosphorus oxide catalysts, wherein the drying step is conducted by irradiating the formed precursor with microwave energy.