The utilization of lighter alkanes into useful chemical products is essential for modern chemistry and reducing the CO

2

emission. Particularly

n-

butane has gained special attention across the globe due to the abundant production of maleic anhydride (MA). Vanadium phosphorous oxide (VPO) is the most effective catalyst for selective oxidation of

n-

butane to MA so far. Interestingly

the VPO complex exists in more or less fifteen different structures

each one having distinct phase composition and exclusive surface morphology and physiochemical properties such as valence state

lattice oxygen

acidity

etc.

which relies on precursor preparation method and the activation conditions of catalysts. The catalytic performance of VPO catalyst is improved by adding different promoters or co-catalyst such as various metals dopants

or either introducing template or structural-directing agents. Meanwhile

new preparation strategies such as electrospinning

ball milling

hydrothermal

barothermal

ultrasound

microwave irradiation

calcination

sol–gel method and solvothermal synthesis are also employed for introducing improvement in catalytic performance. Research in above-mentioned different aspects will be ascribed in current review in addition to summarizing overall catalysis activity and final yield. To analyze the performance of the catalytic precursor

the reaction mechanism and reaction kinetics both are discussed in this review to help clarify the key issues such as s

trong exothermic reaction

phosphorus supplement

water supplement

deactivation

and air/

n-

butane pretreatment

etc.

related to the various industrial applications of VPO.