A series of molybdenum oxide catalysts with Mo loadings in the range 2.5−12.5 wt % Mo supported on
La2O3-stabilized ZrO2 was prepared by impregnation. X-ray diffraction results of the catalysts showed the
diffraction patterns of crystalline MoO3 from 10 wt % Mo. Dispersion of molybdena was determined by
the oxygen chemisorption method, and it was found to decrease with an increase in Mo loading due to
formation of MoO3 crystallites at higher Mo loadings. Temperature-programmed reduction results suggest
that the reducibility is found to decrease with Mo loading as a result of the decrease in dispersion. The
acidity of the catalysts was found to increase with Mo loading, and the activity of the catalysts also found
to increase with the increase in Mo loading up to 7.5 wt % Mo loading. Laser Raman spectra of the catalysts
show the Raman bands due to MoO3 from 7.5 wt % Mo at 819 and 997 cm-1. At lower Mo loadings, highly
dispersed species were observed. The catalytic properties were evaluated during the ammoxidation of
toluene to benzonitrile and were related to the oxygen chemisorption sites on the support surface.