Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a partially oxidized organic compound, e.g., an unsaturated aldehyde/carboxylic acid having three or more carbon atoms, or an organic acid anhydride/nitrile compound having four or more carbon atoms. This method requires a catalyst prepared by treating a carrier in such a manner that water used in the treatment achieves specific resistance.

Abstract: A carrier containing silicon carbide, inorganic bonding component, and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of a niobium oxide, an antimony oxide, and a tungsten oxide carries at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of a vanadium oxide and a molybdenum oxide as catalytically active component. An inexpensive catalyst for catalytic oxidation use can be thus offered that does not change its properties over a period of time, that boasts stable catalytic activity over a period of time, and that is suitable for, e.g., manufacture of an acid anhydride and a nitrile compound by conducting a catalytic gas-phase oxidation reaction (partial oxidation reaction) on a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A catalyst for obtaining pyromellitic anhydride at a high raw material gas concentration with high yield and a method for the production of pyromellitic anhydride are provided. The catalyst containing vanadium and silver as essential component elements for catalyst and having an atomic ratio of silver to vanadium in the range of from 0.001 to 0.2 allows efficient production of pyromellitic anhydride by the vapor-phase oxidation of a tetraalkylbenzene with a molecular oxygen-containing gas. The method of this invention accomplishes the production of pyromellitic anhydride by the use of the catalyst.