Catalytic activity of MoO3:V2O5 mixed oxides towards oxidation reactions: the nature of catalytic centers

Singlet oxygen emission and peroxide generation at the surface of molybdenum–vanadium oxides evidenced that the catalytic activity of a MoO₃:V₂O₅ mixed oxide at 70–175 °C was governed by the formation of peroxo groups in the interaction of molecular oxygen with adjacent V^iv surface centers; the thermolysis of these groups yielded singlet oxygen capable of oxidizing selectively alcohols to aldehydes.