Additive telluromolybdates as catalyst for vapor-phase selective oxidation of ethyl lactate to pyruvate

Additive telluromolybdates M II TeMoO 6 (= M II O . TeO 2 . MoO 3 ; M II = Co, Mn, Zn) showed excellent activities in the selective oxidation of ethyl lactate to pyruvate at 250-300°C in an order of M II = Co > Mn > Zn, and even for M II = Zn the telluromolybdate was active comparable with α-Te 2 MoO 7 , while the component ZnMoO 4 and TeO 2 were inactive. The catalysts were characterized in reference to α-Te 2 MoO 7 , an active species in binary oxides of TeO 2 -MOO 3 . It appears of benefit to locate tellurium adjacent to molybdenum in the present oxides for composing the active site.