Abstract: Catalyst suitable for the oxidation of CH.sub.3 OH to CH.sub.2 O, comprising a mixture of a well known catalytic system, herein indicated as mixed oxides, based on FE.sub.2 (MoO.sub.4).sub.3 molybdenum trioxide (MoO.sub.3) with non-sintered of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 from 5 to 90% by weight of the sum of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 + mixed oxides, the surface area of the Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 being from 1 to 10 m.sup.2 /g and the superficial area of the whole catalyst being from 1 to 6 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Preparation of aliphatic alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids from the corresponding saturated acids by oxidative dehydrogenation, at a temperature between 250.degree. and 500.degree. C., in the presence of a catalyst of empirical formula: FeP.sub.x Me.sub.y Me'.sub.t O.sub.z wherein Me is at least one alkali or alkaline earth element, Me' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cu, Ce, Al, Zr, Hf and Pr, x is between 0.2 and 15, y is between 0.01 and 2, t is between 0.01 and 5 and z is such as to satisfy the valencies of the other elements.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid by reacting in vapor phase acrolein or methacrolein with molecular oxygen or with an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature between 200.degree. and 350.degree. C., in the presence of a solid catalyst and with a contact time between 0.5 and 5 seconds, characterized in that said catalyst consists of molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, one or more of the elements selected from the class consisting of silver, titanium, chromium, cerium, lanthanum and tantalum, and oyxgen chemically combined with the above-indicated elements, and wherein the atomic ratios between the various elements present in the catalyst are represented by the empirical formula:Mo.sub.12 V.sub.a W.sub.b X.sub.c O.sub.dwhereinX represents one or more of the elements Ag, Ti, Cr, Ce, La, Ta;a varies between 0.5 and 10;b varies between 0.5 and 8;c varies between 0.1 and 3 for X=Ag and from 0.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, comprising reacting in vapor phase acrolein or methacrolein with molecular oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature between 200.degree. and 350.degree.C, in the presence of a solid catalyst, and with a contact time between 0.5 and 5 seconds, wherein the catalyst consists of molybdenum, vanadium, tin, and one of the elements chromium, nickel, manganese, as well as oxygen chemically combined with the above-indicated elements, the atomic ratios of the elements being represented by the empirical formula:Mo.sub.12 V.sub.a Sn.sub.b X.sub.c O.sub.dWherein:X is Cr or Ni or Mn;a is between 0.5 and 10;b is between 0.4 and 4;c is between 0.3 and 3.5; andd is a number that satisfies all the valency requirements of the other elements.The catalyst may be used on a carrier, and the oxidation reaction may be carried out in the presence of an inert gaseous diluent or water vapor.

Abstract: Alpha, beta-unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, in particular methacrylic acid, are esterified in the vapor phase in contact with a catalyst containing, in combination with oxygen, tungsten alone or in admixture with one or more of the elements lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium.

Abstract: Alpha, beta-unsaturated acids are obtained by gas-phase catalytic oxidation of saturated acids containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The catalyst used has the empirical compositionFeP.sub.x Me.sub.y O.sub.zin whichMe is one or more of the elements Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba;x is 0.2 to 3;y is 0.01 to 2; andz is a value corresponding to the average valences of the elements in the oxidation states in which they exist in the catalyst.THE PRIOR ARTThe catalytic dehydrogenation of lower aliphatic acids is known and has been described previously. According to one known process, for example, a metal oxide is used as a catalyst and reagent, and dehydrogenation is conducted in the absence of molecular oxygen.