Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of carboxylic acids by controlled oxidation of the corresponding alkanes.The process according to the invention consists in reacting the alkane with a source of oxygen, the reaction being performed in the presence of a catalyst in which the active phase is based on vanadium, titanium, molybdenum, phosphorus and oxygen.

Abstract: Novel aluminum bridged clays having an interfoliate spacing of at least 1 nm, well adapted as catalysts/catalyst supports, are prepared by (a) controlledly introducing an aqueous solution of a hydroxide base into an aqueous reaction medium containing suspended clay particulates and a dissolved aluminum salt, at a rate and for such period of time that the ratio of the concentration [C] of the base, in moles of OH.sup.- and expressed in moles/liter, to the duration (h) of introducing such OH.sup.- values, expressed in hours, is at least 0.1, and (b) recovering the reaction product bridged clay thus produced (and optionally drying/lyophilizing and/or calcining same).