Abstract: Catalysts containing tungsten, phosphorus, vanadium, molybdenum, and promoted with at least one of the elements selected from the group selected from Sn, As, Cu, Ce, B, Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, U, Mn, Ag, Ru, Rh, Cd, Sr, In, Zn, and La have been found to be especially effective for the oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes to form the corresponding unsaturated acid.

Abstract: Methacrylic acid or acrylic acid is produced by the oxidation of methacrolein or acrolein respectively, with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytic oxide of molybdenum and phosphorus, promoted with chromium or at least one element selected from the group consisting of thallium, rubidium, cesium, potassium, titanium, and arsenic, or a mixture thereof, wherein at least part of the molybdenum employed in the preparation of the catalyst is supplied in the form of molybdenum trioxide. The oxidation of methacrolein in the presence of a catalyst wherein all the molybdenum employed in the preparation of the catalyst has been supplied by molybdenum trioxide gives especially desirable high yields and selectivities to methacrylic acid.

Abstract: Catalysts containing tungsten, phosphorus, vanadium and molybdenum have been found to be especially effective for the oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes to form the corresponding unsaturated acid. These catalysts may optionally contain one or more of tin, antimony, arsenic, copper, cerium, boron, chromium, iron, nickel, cobalt, uranium, manganese, strontium, silver, rubidium, rhodium, cadmium, bismuth, indium, zinc and lanthanum.

Abstract: Catalysts containing the oxides of molybdenum and phosphorus promoted with rubidium and at least one element selected from the group consisting of As, Cd, In, Sn, Tl, K, Ca, V, U, Ce, W, Ni, Zr, Ba, Fe, Rh, Mn, Re, Ru, Co, and Cu have been found to be especially desirable in the vapor phase oxidation of acrolein and methacrolein with molecular oxygen to yield acrylic acid and methacrylic acid respectively. The reaction of methacrolein gives an especially pure product in high yields and selectivities of methacrylic acid.