Oxidation of methanol and/or dimethyl ether using supported molybdenum-containing heteropolyacid catalysts

摘要

Feeds comprising methanol, dimethyl ether or a mixture of the two are oxidized by contacting the feed with an oxygen-containing gas and a supported heteropolyacid catalyst containing molybdenum or molybdenum and vanadium. The primary products are methylal (dimethoxymethane) and methyl formate. Production of dimethyl ether from methanol can be inhibited by partial deactivation of acid sites on the Keggin catalyst.