Abstract: The invention relates to the development of a catalyst for selectively producing acetic acid from a gaseous feedstock of ethane, ethylene or mixtures thereof and oxygen at a low temperature. Said gaseous feedstock is brought together with a catalyst containing the oxides of Mo, V and Nb and nano metallic Pd optionally together with a hetero-poly acid and/or Sb and Ca. The present catalytic system provides both higher selectivity and yield of acetic with minimal production of side products of ethylene and CO.

Abstract: An oxide catalyst comprising the elements Mo, V, Nb and Pd. The novel catalytic system provides both higher selectivity and yield of acetic acid in the low temperature one step vapor phase direct oxidation of ethane with molecular oxygen containing gas without production of side products such as ethylene and CO.

Abstract: An oxide catalyst comprising the elements Mo, V, Nb and Pd. The novel catalytic system provides both higher selectivity and yield of acetic acid in the low temperature one step vapor phase direct oxidation of ethane with molecular oxygen containing gas without production of side products such as ethylene and CO. The feed gas is contacted with a catalyst containing Mo, V, Nb, Pd and O in the ratio a:b:c:d:x where a is 1 to 5; b is 0 to 0.5; c is 0.01 to 0.5; d is 0 0.2 and x is a number determined by the valence of the other elements in the catalyst.

Abstract: An oxide catalyst comprising the elements Mo, V, Nb and Pd. The novel catalytic system provides both higher selectivity and yield of acetic acid in the low temperature one step vapor phase direct oxidation of ethane with molecular oxygen containing gas without production of side products such as ethylene and CO.