The M1 Phase of MoVTeNbO as a Catalyst for Olefin Metathesis and Isomerization

Polycrystalline MoVTeNb oxide composed of the M1 phase was studied in the transformation of propene at reaction temperatures between 323 and 573 K in the absence of oxygen and water. Surprisingly, the catalyst showed considerable activity in propene metathesis to ethene and 2‐butenes, which was attributed to partial reduction of the catalyst surface under the reaction conditions. The multifunctionality of the M1 phase, which is known as a selective catalyst for the direct oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, was furthermore reflected in the formation of 1‐butene and isobutene owing to C4 isomerization. This study demonstrates the diversity of the M1 phase as a catalyst, which is based on surface dynamics and structural stability, and further improves the understanding of the complex reaction network of short‐chain hydrocarbons over MoVTeNbO M1 catalysts.