Oxidation of Isobutene to Methacrolein over U-Sb and Bi-Mo Oxide Catalysts

The oxidation of isobutene to methacrolein using U-Sb and Bi-Mo oxide catalysts were investigated and compared with that of propene to acrolein or butene-1 to butadiene.The oxidation of isobutene was found to be retarded by the reacting olefin. The retardation was decreased by an addition of steam in the reaction system. The added steam enhanced the formation of methacrolein and depressed that of carbon monoxide and dioxide. The retardation action of isobutene and the enhancement effect of steam were discussed from a viewpoint of the nature of adsorbed species.