Additive telluromolybdates as catalyst for vapor-phase selective oxidation of ethyl lactate to pyruvate

Additive telluromolybdates MIITeMoO6(= MIIO · TeO2 · MoO3; MII = Co, Mn, Zn) showed excellent activities in the selective oxidation of ethyl lactate to pyruvate at 250–300°C in an order of MII = Co > Mn > Zn, and even for MII = Zn the telluromolybdate was active comparable with α-Te2MoO7, while the component ZnMoO4 and TeO2 were inactive. The catalysts were characterized in reference to α-Te2MoO7, an active species in binary oxides of TeO2MoO3. It appears of benefit to locate tellurium adjacent to molybdenum in the present oxides for composing the active site.