Selective oxidation of dimethyl ether to methyl formate over trifunctional MoO3-SnO2 catalyst under mild conditions

Dimethyl ether oxidation was conducted over MoO3-SnO2 catalysts prepared from different Sn salt precursors. Over the MoO3-SnO2 catalyst prepared from SnCl4, methyl formate selectivity reached 94.1% at 433 K without the formation of COx. The performance of the catalyst was determined by the existence form of MoO3 and the different surface bonding of Mo and O of the catalyst.