Monolayer vanadia catalysts from vanadium alkoxide precursors. Study of reactivity of various R3VO4 Original Research Article

Reactivity of various alkyl orthovanadates of general formula R3VO4 has been studied towards surface hydroxyls of magnesia and silica supports under standard conditions. Ethyl orthovanadate was the most reactive precursor of V2O5 monolayer. The elongation of n-alkyl chains from ethyl to pentyl in precursor molecule led to the gradual decrease of its reactivity. Tertiary butyl orthovanadate was the least reactive V2O5 precursor among all isomeric butyl esters. The surface reactions of R3VO4 molecules with OH groups of both supports have been proposed.