Hydrothermally synthesized MO-VMX oxide catalysts for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Appli cation No. 60/299,213 filed Jun. 18, 2001. The present invention relates to a catalyst for the Oxida tion of alkanes, or a mixture of alkanes and alkenes, to their corresponding unsaturated carboxylic acids by vapor phase catalytic oxidation; to a method for making the catalyst; and to a proceSS for the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkanes, or a mixture of alkanes and alkenes, to their corresponding unsaturated carboxylic acids using the cata lyst. The present invention also relates to a proceSS for the Vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkanes, or a mixture of alkanes and alkenes, in the presence of ammonia, to their corresponding unsaturated nitrites using the catalyst. Nitriles, Such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile, have been industrially produced as important intermediates for the preparation of fibers, Synthetic resins, Synthetic rubbers, and the like. The …