Active site of praseodymium orthovanadate catalyst in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

The pure phase of praseodymium orthovanadate (PrVO4) has been prepared by the citrate method. The active site of Pr-VO4 was studied by ESR, NO-TPD, O2-TPD and18O2-isotope exchange methods. The results of ESR and NO-TPD confirmed the presence of V4+ in the catalyst.18O2-isotope exchange was through a single exchange procedure. From the result of O2 + TPD and the kinetic study of18O2-isotope exchange, one can reach a conclusion that the V4+ species associated with oxygen vacancies are the site for O2 activation. The adsorbed O2 or O are the active oxygen species in propane oxidative dehydrogenation.