Scientific career of Fabrizio Cavani in brief Scientific Interests

Scientific career of Fabrizio Cavani in brief
Fabrizio Cavani is author of (period 1983-2010; see List of References):
176 articles in Scientific Journals (167 of which are International Journals).
24 articles in Books and Encyclopaedias
41 articles in Proceedings of International Congresses
25 patents, of which 19 with International extension
6 monographs and books (of which: 2 monographs for private clients, 1 monograph in a
scientific journal, 3 books)
Dissemination activity
Fabrizio Cavani presented his work at several congresses, and specifically:
19 Invited lectures at Symposia, Congresses, Conferences (period 1983-2010; see List of
References)
37 Invited lectures at International Schools, Fairs, Workshops, Industrial Companies (period
2000-2010; see List of References)
152 Oral Communications at National and International Symposia, Congresses, Conferences,
(period 1983-2010, 20 of which presented personally in the period 2000-2010, see List of
References).
~220 Poster Presentations at National and International Symposia, Congresses, Conferences
(period 1983-2010)
Moreover, he has been Guest editor of 6 monographs in Journals and Books.
Scientific Interests
The main scientific interests of Fabrizio Cavani are:
1. Catalytic Selective Oxidation, both in the gas phase and in the liquid phase, including gasphase
ammoxidation and oxychlorination. The major field of investigation is the gas-phase
oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes. Examples of reactions investigated include: in
the gas-phase (with oxygen) (a) the oxidation of o-xylene into phthalic anhydride; (b) the oxidation
of n-butane into maleic anhydride; (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and propane into
acrylonitrile, and the oxidation of propane into acrylic acid; (d) the oxidative dehydrogenation of
ethane into ethylene, of propane into propylene and of isobutane into isobutene; (e) the oxidation
of isobutane into methacrylic acid; (e) the oxidation of n-pentane into maleic anhd phthalic
anhydrides; (f) the oxychlorination and oxyfluorination of ethylene; (g) the ammoxidation of
alkylaromatics into the corresponding nitriles; (h) the oxidehydration of glycerol into acrylic acid. In
the liquid-phase (with either oxygen or hydrogen peroxide) (a) the oxidation of benzene to phenol;
(b) the oxidation of 2-methylnaphthol into menadione; (c) the oxidation of cyclohexanone into
adipic acid; (d) the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone.
2. Acid-base catalysis, both in the gas phase and in the liquid phase. The major field of
investigation is the gas-phase methylation of phenolics. Examples of reactions investigated
include: in the gas-phase (a) the methylation of phenol to o-cresol with either basic or acid
catalysts; (b) the methylation of catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) into guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol).
In the liquid phase (a) the hydroxymethylation of guaiacol into vanillyic alcohol; (b) the methylation
of m-cresol with methanol and basic catalysts; (c) the alkylation of benzene with propylene and the

transalkylation of dialkylbenzenes with benzene; (d) the oligomerisation of alkenes; (e) the
benzoylation of resorcinol.
Funding sources
Along the years, the research activity of Fabrizio Cavani has been economically supported by both
industrial companies (amongst which also French companies: Air Liquide, Rhone Poulenc/Rhodia,
and ElfAtochem/TotalFinaElf).
Below, is reported a list of funding sources awarded during the period 2000-2010.
Sponsor 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Industrial Companies
ENI (I) X X X X
Rhodia (F) X X X X X
Polynt (I) X X X X X X X X X X X
Borregaard (I) X X X X X X X
Vanetta (I) X X X
TotalFinaElf (F) X X X
Air Liquide (F) X X
Ciba SC (I) X X X
Radici Chimica (I) X X X
Sud Chemie (I/D) X X X
Sasol (I/D) X X
DSM (CH) X
Lonza (CH) X
Polimeri Europa (I) X
Public Bodies
Ministery of Research (I) X X
Consortium INSTM (I) X X
Ministery of Agricultural (I) X
European Commission: FP5 X X X X
European Commission: FP7 X
It is also worth noting that recently FC was awarded a sponsorship for a PhD grant by Tuck
Foundation (F), for the period 2011-2013, in co-tutelle with the CNRS-Univ. Lyon (Dr Jean-Marc
Millet).

Main scientific and technological achievements
During the period 1986-1990, FC discovered the use of H-beta zeolite for the alkylation of
benzene with propylene, to synthesize cumene [1,2]; this process is currently employed by
Polimeri Europa (ENI group) for the production of cumene. The advantages of the zeolite-based
technology for benzene alkylation, as compared to the conventional process based on silicasupported
phosphoric acid, are several: (a) a better selectivity to cumene, because of the steric
limitations hindering the formation of polyalkylated by-products, and because of the higher activity
in polyalkylated transalkylation; (b) a higher productivity, because of the stronger acidity of the
zeolite; (c) much less environmental problems; not only the zeolite can be regenerated by
treatment in air, but also shows unchanged activity for several years before regeneration is
needed. Conversely, the formerly used catalyst could not be regenerated, and had to be disposed
every one year at best; (d) no production of waste acid sludges, that are instead typically produced
with the formerly used catalyst, and are the reason for severe equipment corrosion and for
environmental concerns because of its disposal.
1. F.Cavani, V.Arrigoni, G.Bellussi, "Procedimento per la preparazione di cumene", Brevetto
Italiano 1,217,525 (20495 A/88); Eur. Patent 340,862 B1; US Patent 4,992,608 A; Jap. Patent
02011527. Assigned to EniChem Sintesi, EniRicerche.
2. F. Cavani, V. Arrigoni, R. Ghezzi, G. Bellussi, "Processo per l'alchilazione di composti
aromatici", Brevetto Italiano 1,237,198 (22412 A/89); Eur. Patent 432,814 B1. Assigned to a
EniChem Synthesis, EniRicerche, Snamprogetti.
During the period 1997-2003, FC has developed in collaboration with Lonza SpA (formerly
Alusuisse, later Polynt), a catalyst based on vanadyl pyrophosphate (VO)2P2O7 for the
selective oxidation of n-butane into maleic anhydride [3-5]. Along the years, the industrial
catalyst, currently used in the Polynt plant in Ravenna producing 50,000 tons/year of maleic
anhydride, and in other plants delivered to other companies and using Polynt catalyst, has been
improved, both in terms of maleic anhydride yield, catalyst lifetime and stability during operation. In
concomitance with the development of the catalyst (with various generations of improved catalyst
produced and used during the years), the nature of the active phase in the vanadyl pyrophosphate
catalyst has been ascertained [6-9], that also allowed understanding the dynamic effects involving
the change of the active phase characteristics in function of reaction conditions, and hence modify
accordingly the catalyst composition and preparation procedure. The fluid-bed technology used by
Polynt for the synthesis of maleic anhydride from n-butane is one of the most, if not the most,
efficient technology, combining high selectivity to the desired product with excellent economics
because of the better heat recovery.
1. G. Mazzoni, G. Stefani, F. Cavani, "Procedimento per la trasformazione di un precursore di
catalizzatore a base di ossido misto di vanadio/fosforo nel catalizzatore attivo per la produzione di
anidride maleica", Brevetto Italiano 1,290,407 (MI00836 A/96); Eur. Patent 804,963 B1 (1997); US
Patent 5,847,163; Japan Patent 10052644, Mx Patent 9703089, CN 1178138. Assigned to Lonza
SpA.
2. S. Ligi, F. Cavani, S. Albonetti, G. Mazzoni, “Vanadium/Phosphorus mixed oxide catalyst
precursor”, Brevetto Italiano MI991233; WO Patent 00/72,963 (2000); US Patent 6,734,135 (2004);
US Patent 6956004 B2 (2005). EP 1,183,101. US 2004-162,217. Assigned to Lonza SpA

3. F. Cavani, F. Pierelli, F. Ghelfi, G. Mazzone, C. Fumagalli, Un nuovo catalizzatore per la sintesi
di anidride maleica. Brevetto 03 425 597.6 del 15/9/2003. EP 1514598 A1 20050316; EP 2003-
425597 20030915. Assigned to Lonza.
4. S. Albonetti, F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, P. Venturoli, G. Calestani, M. Lopez Granados, J.L.G. Fierro,
"A Comparison of the Reactivity of "Nonequilibrated" and "Equilibrated" V-P-O Catalysts: Structural
Evolution, Surface Characterization, and Reactivity in the Selective Oxidation of n-Butane and n-
Pentane", J. Catal., 160(1) (1996) 52-64
5. F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, "The characterization of the surface properties of V-P-O-based catalysts by
probe molecules", Appl. Catal. A: General, 157 (1997) 195-221
6. F. Cavani, S. Ligi, T. Monti, F. Pierelli, F. Trifirò, S. Albonetti, G. Mazzoni, “Relationship between
structural/surface characteristics and reactivity in n.-butane oxidation to maleic anhydride. The role
of V 3+ species”, Catal. Today, 61 (2000) 203-210
7. S. Albonetti, F. Budi, F. Cavani, S. Ligi, G. Mazzoni, F. Pierelli, F. Trifirò, “ALMAX catalyst for the
selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride: a highly efficient V/P/O system for fluidizedbed
reactors”, in "Natural Gas Conversion VI", J.J. Spivey et al. (Eds.), Elsevier Science,
Amsterdam, Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal. 136, 2001, p. 141-146
8. S. Albonetti, F. Cavani, S. Ligi, F. Pierelli, F. Trifirò, F. Ghelfi, G. Mazzoni, “The effect of glycols
in the organic preparation of V/P mixed oxide, catalyst for the oxidation of n-butane to maleic
anhydride”, in “Scientific Bases for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts” E. Gaigneaux,
D.E. De Vos, P. Grange, P.A. Jacobs, J.A. Martens, P. Ruiz, G. Poncelet (Eds.), Elsevier,
Amsterdam, Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal. 143, (2002) 963-973
9. N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, C. Cortelli, F. Gasparini, A. Mignani, F. Pierelli, F. Trifirò, C. Fumagalli, G.
Mazzoni, “The contribution of homogeneous and non-oxidative side reactions in the performance
of vanadyl pyrophosphate, catalyst for the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride, under
hydrocarbon-rich conditions”, Catal. Today, 99 (2005) 115-122
10. G. Bignardi, F. Cavani, C. Cortelli, T. De Lucia, F. Pierelli, F. Trifirò, G. Mazzoni, C. Fumagalli,
T. Monti, “Influence of the oxidation state of vanadium on the reactivity of V/P/O, catalyst for the
oxidation of n-pentane to maleic and phthalic anhydrides“, J. Molec. Catal. A: Chemical, 244
(2006) 244-251.
11. N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, C. Cortelli, S. Ligi, F. Pierelli, F. Trifirò, C. Fumagalli, G. Mazzoni, T.
Monti, “VPO catalyst for n-butane oxidation to maleic anhydride: A goal achieved, or a still open
challenge ?”, Topics Catal., 38 (2006) 147-156
12. F. Cavani, C. Cortelli, A. Frattini, G. Puccinotti, M. Ricotta, F. Rodeghiero, F. Trifirò, C.
Fumagalli, G. Mazzoni, “The dilution of vanadyl pyrophosphate, catalyst for n-butane oxidation to
maleic anhydride, with aluminum phosphate: unexpected reactivity due to the contribution of the
diluting agent”, Topics Catal., 38 (2006) 295-201
13. N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, C. Cortelli, M. Ricotta, F. Rodeghiero, F. Trifirò, C. Fumagalli, G.
Mazzoni, “Non-steady catalytic performance as a tool for the identification of the active surface in
VPO, catalyst for n-butane oxidation to maleic anhydride”, Catal. Today, 117 (2006) 174-179.

14. F. Cavani, S. Luciani, E. Degli Esposti, C. Cortelli, R. Leanza “Surface Dynamics of A Vanadyl
Pyrophosphate Catalyst for n-Butane Oxidation to Maleic Anhydride: An In Situ Raman and
Reactivity Study of the Effect of the P/V Atomic Ratio”, Chemistry Eur. J., 16 (2010) 1646-1655.
15. F. Cavani, D. De Santi, S. Luciani, A. Lofberg, E. Bordes-Richard, C. Cortelli, R. Leanza,
“Transient reactivity of vanadyl pyrophosphate, the catalyst for n-butane oxidation to maleic
anhydride, in response to in-situ treatments”, Appl. Catal. A 376 (2010) 66–75.
During the period 2008-2011, FC has extensively studied the mechanism of a process which,
although industrially applied since several years, yet had not been understood. Specifically, the
reaction is the gas-phase methylation of phenol with methanol, catalyzed by basic (doped
MgO: General Electric technology) or redox (V/Fe/O: Asahi technology) oxides, a reaction
occurring with high region- and chemo-selectivity. It was generally accepted that the mechanism of
the reaction is a direct electrophylic substitution by methanol on the activated phenolate molecule.
Starting from the evidence that such mechanism is not convincing, we were able to demonstrate
that indeed the reaction mechanism involves formaldehyde as true electrophylic molecule, where
the aldehyde is formed by means of dehydrogenation of methanol, a reaction which is accelerated
by the basic materials used industrially [1-6]. The electrophylic attack leads to the formation of
salycilic alcohol as the reaction intermediate, which is finally transformed into the methylated
compound (o-cresol and then 2,6-xylenol) by means of MPV-type reaction with formaldehyde itself,
which also acts as a reducing agent for the methylol moiety. In overall, the reaction indeed consists
of several steps, which are carried out in rapid cascade. In this sense, the direct transformation of
phenol into the corresponding methylated compounds is emblematic of how the combination of
various catalyst functionalities (both basic, required for the phenol activation, and dehydrogenating)
allows the conduction of complex reactions with high selectivity (one-pot reactions).
1. N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, L. Maselli, A. Montaletti, S. Passeri, D. Scagliarini, C. Flego, C. Perego,
“The transformations involving methanol in the acid- and base-catalyzed gas-phase methylation of
phenol”, J. Catal. 251 (2007) 423–436
2. N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, L. Maselli, S. Passeri, S. Rovinetti, “Mechanistic studies of the role of
formaldehyde in the gas-phase methylation of phenol”, J. Catal. 256 (2008) 215-225
3. N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, S. Passeri, L. Pesaresi, A.F. Lee, K. Wilson, “Phenol methylation over
nanoparticulate CoFe2O4 inverse spinel catalysts: The effect of morphology on catalytic
performance”, Appl. Catal. A 366 (2009) 184–192
4. F. Cavani, L. Maselli, S. Passeri, J.A. Lercher, “Catalytic methylation of phenol on MgO –
Surface chemistry and mechanism”, J. Catal. 269 (2010) 340–350
5. V. Crocellà, G. Cerrato, G. Magnacca, C. Morterra, F. Cavani, S. Cocchi, S. Passeri, D.
Scagliarini, C. Flego, C. Perego, “The balance of acid, basic and redox sites in Mg/Me-mixed
oxides: The effect on catalytic performance in the gas-phase alkylation of m-cresol with methanol”,
J. Catal. 270 (2010) 125–135.
6. V. Crocellà, G. Cerrato, G. Magnacca, C. Morterra, F. Cavani, L. Maselli and S. Passeri, “Gasphase
phenol methylation over Mg/Me/O (Me = Al, Cr, Fe) catalysts: mechanistic implications due
to different acid–base and dehydrogenating properties”, Dalton Trans., 39, (2010) 8527–8537.

Scientific collaborations with French Scientists
During his career, FC has established strong scientific relationships with French scientists, both
from industrial companies and public research bodies, that led to several joint publications in
international journals. Especially in the field of catalytic selective oxidation, collaborations
established allowed the understanding of the interaction between catalysts and reactive substrates,
for reactions such as the ammoxidation of propane to acrylonitrile, the oxidation of n-butane to
maleic anhydride, the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutyric acid and the selective oxidation of
isobutane to methacrylic acid, and the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes.
Articles jointly published with French scientists:
In collaboration with scientists from the Univ. of Lille
S. Albonetti, F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, M. Gazzano, M. Koutyrev, F.C. Aissi, A. Aboukais, M. Guelton,
"Mechanism of Thermal Decomposition of Potassium/Ammonium Salts of the 12-
Molybdophosphoric Acid and Effect on the Catalytic Performance in the Isobutyric Acid
Oxidehydrogenation", J. Catal., 146 (1994) 491-502
E. Etienne, F. Cavani, R. Mezzogori, F. Trifirò, G. Calestani, L. Gengembre, M. Guelton,
“Chemical-physical characterization of Fe-doped, Keggin-type P/Mo polyoxometalates, catalysts
for the selective oxidation of isobutane to methacrylic acid” Special issue: Heteropoly Acids Special
Issue - Edited by I. Kiricsi, Appl. Catal., A: General, 256/1-2 (2003) 275-290
N. Ballarini, F.Cavani, E. Degli Esposti, D. De Santi, S. Luciani, F. Trifirò, C. Cortelli, R. Leanza,
G. Mazzoni, A. Brückner, E. Bordes-Richard, “The dynamic nature of vanadyl pyrophosphate,
catalyst for the selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride”, In “Catalysis of Organic
Reactions “, M.L. Prunier (Ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2009, p. 485-490.
F. Cavani, D. De Santi, S. Luciani, A. Lofberg, E. Bordes-Richard, C. Cortelli, R. Leanza,
“Transient reactivity of vanadyl pyrophosphate, the catalyst for n-butane oxidation to maleic
anhydride, in response to in-situ treatments”, Appl. Catal. A 376 (2010) 66–75
In collaboration with scientists from CNRS
E. Garcin, R. Surantyn, A. Chambosse, A. Foucault, G. Coudurier, J.C. Volta, J.Ph. Nogier, A.M.
De Kersabiec, F. Cavani, J. Van Ommen, B. Grzyvbowska, M. Czervenka, K. Malec, A.
Andersson, "Chemical characterization of Eurocat Ti-V-O catalysts", Catal. Today, 20 (1994) 23-34
F. Cavani, A. Colombo, F. Trifirò, M.T. Sananes Schulz, J.C. Volta and G.J. Hutchings, "The effect
of cobalt and iron dopants on the catalytic behavior of V/P/O catalysts in the selective oxidation of
n-pentane to maleic and phthalic anhydrides", Catal. Lett., 43 (1997) 241-247
M. Cimini , J.-M.M. Millet, F. Cavani, “Mechanisms of molybdenum substitution in vanadium
antimonate “, J. Solid State Chem., 177 (4-5) (2004) 1045-1052
M. Cimini, J. M. M. Millet, N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, C. Ciardelli and C. Ferrari, “Synthesis,
characterization and evaluation as catalysts for propane ammoxidation of VMoSbO systems with
rutile-type structure “, Catal. Today, 91-92 (2004) 259-264

N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, M. Cimini, F. Trifirò, J.M.M. Millet, U. Corsaro, R. Catani, “Role of Nb in
rutile-type Cr/V/Nb/Sb mixed oxides, catalysts for propane ammoxidation to acrylonitrile”, J. Catal.,
241 (2006) 255-267
N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, M. Cimini, G.M. Mascanzoni, F. Trifirò, J.-M- Millet, M. Banares, M.O.
Guerriero-Perez, U. Cornaro, R. Catani, “Role of Nb in rutile-type metal antimonates for propane
ammoxidation”, Proceedings Fifth Tokyo Conference on Advanced Catalytic Science and
Technology, Tokyo, luglio 2006 “Sience and Technology in catalysis 2006”, Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal.,
172 (2007) 145-149
In collaboration with scientists from Atochem (then TotalFinaElf, then Arkema)
F. Cavani, E. Etienne, M. Favaro, A. Galli, F. Trifirò, G. Hecquet, "Enhancement of catalytic activity
of the ammonium/potassium salt of 12-molybdophosphoric acid by iron ion addition for the
oxidation of isobutane to methacrylic acid", Catal. Lett., 32 (1995) 215-226
F. Cavani, E. Etienne, G. Hecquet, G. Selleri, F. Trifirò, "Multi-Step and Single-Step Gas-Phase
Selective Oxidation of Isobutane to Methacrylic Acid as an Alternative Process to the Acetone
Cyanohydrin Route", in "Catalysis of Organic Reactions", R.E. Malz (Ed.), Marcel Dekker, New
York (1996), p. 107-117, Pubblicato a New York, 1996
F. Cavani, E. Etienne, F. Trifirò, "Application d'un catalyseur supporté à base d'oxyde de chrome à
la deshydrogénation oxydante d'hydrocarbures paraffiniques en les monooléfines
correspondantes", France Patent 2,748,021 A1 (1997). Assegnato ad Elf Atochem.
D. André, A. Belletti, F. Cavani, H. Degrand, J.-L. Dubois, F. Trifirò, “Molybdenum oxide-based
systems, prepared starting from Anderson-type polyoxometalates precursors, as catalysts for the
oxidation of i-C4 hydrocarbons”, Stud Surf Sci Catal, 155 (2005) 57-66.
D. André, F. Cavani, H. Degrand, J.L. Dubois, C. Lucarelli, F. Trifirò, “Isobutene and Isobutane
Oxidation over Molybdenum Oxide-Based Catalysts, Prepared Starting from Anderson-type
Polyoxometalates Precursors”, Proceedings DGMK Conference “C4/C5-Hydrocarbons: Routes to
higher value-added products”, ottobre 2004, Munich, D, DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2004-3, ISBN 3-
936418-23-3, p. 289-296
N. Ballarini, F. Candiracci, F. Cavani, H. Degrand, J.-L. Dubois, G. Lucarelli, M. Margotti, A.
Patinet, A. Pigamo and F. Trifirò, “The dispersion of Keggin-type P/Mo polyoxometalates inside
silica gel, and the preparation of catalysts for the oxidation of isobutane to methacrolein and
methacrylic acid”, Appl. Catal. A, 325 (2007) 263-269.
N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, H. Degrand, E. Etienne, A. Pigamo, F. Trifirò, J.L. Dubois, “The oxidation of
isobutane to methacrylic acid: an alternative techonology for MMA production”, In “Methods and
Reagents for Green chemistry”, P. Tundo, A. Perosa, F. Zecchini, eds. John Wiley and Sons,
Hoboken, 2007, p. 265-279
In collaboration with scientists from Rhone Poulenc (then Rhodia)

S. Albonetti, G. Blanchard, P. Burattin, F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, "Procédé de préparation de
catalyseurs d'ammoxydation", France Patent 2,721,598 (1994); Eur. Patent 691,306 B1; Japan
Patent 8000996; US Patent 5,686,381. Assigned to Rhone Poulenc Chimie.
S. Albonetti, G. Blanchard, P. Burattin, F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, "Catalyseurs d'ammoxydation et leur
procédé de préparation", France Patent 2,729,651 (1995); Eur. Patent 723,934 B1 (1996); US
Patent 5,663,392; US Patent 6,072,070 (2000); Japan Patent 8238428. Assigned to Rhone
Poulenc Chimie.
S. Albonetti, G. Blanchard, P. Burattin, F. Cavani and F. Trifirò, "Procédé de préparation de
catalyseurs d'ammoxydation", France Patent 2,739,373 (1995); WO Patent 97/12,839 A1 (1997);
Eur. Patent 852,569; Japan Patent 11501326T; US Patent 6,083,869. Assegnato a Rhone Poulenc
Fiber & Resin In.
G. Blanchard, P. Burattin, F. Cavani, S. Masetti, F. Trifirò, "Procédé de préparation de catalyseurs
d'ammoxydation pour réacteur à lit fluidisé ou à lit transporté", France Patent 2,742,678 (1995);
WO Patent 97/23,287 A1 (1997); Eur. Patent 876,210. Assegnato a Rhone PoulencFiber & Resin
In.
S. Albonetti, G. Blanchard, P. Burattin, F. Cavani, S. Masetti, F. Trifirò, "Propane ammoxidation to
acrylonitrile over a tin-based mixed-oxide catalyst", Catal. Today, 42 (1998) 283-295.
E. Arcozzi, N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, M. Cimini, C. Lucarelli, F. Trifirò, P. Delichere, J.M.M. Millet, P.
Marion, “The control of catalytic performance of rutile-type Sn/V/Nb/Sb mixed oxides, catalysts for
propane ammoxidation to acrylonitrile”, Catal. Today, 138 (2008) 97–103
N. Ballarini, A. Battisti, A. Castelli, F. Cavani, C. Lucarelli, P. Marion, P. Righi, A. Turrini, “The gasphase
ammoxidation of n-hexane to unsaturated 1,6-C6 dinitriles, intermediates for 1,6hexamethylenediamine
synthesis”, DGMK Conference on Future Feddstocks for Fuels and
Chemicals, Berlin october 2008, Preprints of the Conference, DGMK Tagungsbericht 2008-3, S.
Ernts, A. Jess, F. Nees, U. Peters, M. Ricci, E. Santacesaria (Eds), ISBN 978-3-936418-81-1, p.
73-80.
N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, S. Di Memmo, F. Zappoli, P. Marion, “The role of Sb and Nb in rutile-type
Sn/V/Nb/Sb mixed oxides, catalysts for propane ammoxidation to acrylonitrile”, Catal. Today 141
(2009) 264–270
N. Ballarini, F. Cavani, P. Marion, N. Tonielli, F. Trifirò, “The role of V in rutile-type Sn/V/Nb/Sb
mixed oxides, catalysts for propane ammoxidation to acrylonitrile”, Catal. Today, 142 (2009) 170-
174
N. Ballarini, A. Battisti, A. Castelli, F. Cavani, C. Lucarelli, P. Marion, P. Righi, C. Spadoni, “The
gas-phase ammoxidation of n-hexane to unsaturated C6 dinitriles, intermediates for
hexamethylenediamine synthesis”, In “Catalysis of Organic Reactions “, M.L. Prunier (Ed.), CRC
Press, Boca Raton, 2009, p. 357-366.
F. Cavani, G. Centi, P. Marion “Catalytic ammoxidation of hydrocarbons on mixed oxides” in “Metal
Oxide Catalysts”, S.D. Jackson, J.S.J. Hargreaves (Eds), Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2009, Ch 20, p.
771-818

In collaboration with scientists from Air Liquide
P. Arpentinier, F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, “The Technology of Catalytic Oxidations”, Editions Technip,
Paris, 2001, ISBN 2-7108-0777-7
Ph. Arpentinier, F. Cavani, F. Trifirò, “The contribution of homogeneous reactions in catalytic
oxidation processes: safety and selectivity aspects”, Catal. Today, 99 (2005) 15-22
N. Ballarini, A. Battisti, F. Cavani, A. Cericola, C. Cortelli, F. Trifirò, P. Arpentinier, “Self-adapting
vanadium oxide catalyst for the oxygen-assisted transformation of light alkanes to COx/H2 through
combined oxidation and WGS reactions”, Proceedings DGMK Conference “Oxidation and
Functionalization: Classical and Alternative Routes and Sources”, ottobre 2005, Milan, DGMK-SCI
Conference. DGMK Tagungsbericht 2005-2, ISBN 3-936418-39-X, p. 223-229
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