The following report summarizes the results of the heterogeneously catalyzed oxidation of cyclopentene and of cyclopentadiene on V/Mo/P-oxidecatalysts.
A number of catalysts having
different compositions were prepared and tested in the oxidation of cyclopentene. The determination
of the activity and of the selectivity was performed
under variation of the space velocity,
concentration and temperature.
Subsequently, oxidations of cyclopentene and of cyclopentadiene were carried out on selected catalysts in order to achieve high selectivities. As a result maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride and α-pyrone were obtained in relatively high selectivities.
A comprehensive identification of intermediate organic products led eventually to a suggestion of the possible mode of formation of phthalic anhydride.