Catalytic activity of iron phosphate doped with a small amount of molybdenum in the oxidative dehydrogenation of lactic acid to pyruvic acid Original Research Article

Both the catalytic activity and the selectivity of iron phosphate in the oxidative dehydrogenation of lactic acid to form pyruvic acid increase dramatically by doping a very small amount of molybdenum compounds. Both the highest activity and selectivity are obtained at a Mo/Fe atomic ratio ranging from 0.01 to 0.3. The catalytic activity and selectivity are not affected if the source of Mo6+ is changed. Effects similar to those for the Mo6+ doping are not observed in the cases of the doping of V5+ or W6+. The functions of Mo6+ were studied.