VPO catalysts supported on SBA-15 were prepared by adopting a deposition-precipitation method based on organic phases. The unique properties of SBA-15, such as high surface area, large pore volume, and large pore size, enable good dispersion of VPO species in crystalline form. A mixture of iso-butyl/benzyl alcohols is more suitable than a single iso-butanol phase for the loading of VPO, and crystallized (VO)(2)P2O7 was the species predominantly deposited on SBA-15 with high dispersion. At 673 K, the obtained MA yields were 51, 44, and 30% over the 60, 45, and 30 wt% VPO/SBA-15 catalysts, respectively. Techniques such as N-2 adsorption-desorption measurement, XRD, TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and H-2-TPR were adopted to explore the nature of the catalysts and to understand the characteristics of the supported VPO components. Based on the results of characterization and evaluation, a correlation between catalyst structure and performance was established. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.