Bulk Keggin heteropoly acids (HPAs) H3+n[PMo12-nVnO40] (n = 0-2) and their Cs+ propanoic acid at 350 degrees C and 1 bar H-2 pressure, yielding propanal together with 3-pentanone and propane as the main products. Catalyst acidity (controlled by Cs substitution) has crucial effect on the reaction selectivity. As the Cs content increases, the selectivity to propanal passes a maximum (74-76%). At the same time, the selectivity to propane sharply decreases, whereas 3-pentanone selectivity increases monotonously. This indicates that 3-pentanone is likely to form via Cs propanoate intermediate. Partial substitution of Mo(VI) by V(V) in the PMo12O403- anion has a small effect on the catalyst performance. Initially crystalline, the catalysts become amorphous after reaction, with their surface area significantly reduced. As evidenced by FTIR, H-4[PMo11VO40] and its Cs salts, possessing a higher thermal stability, retain the Keggin structure in their bulk after reaction, whereas less stable H-3[PMo12O40] and H-5[PMo10V2O40] derivatives undergo decomposition. This shows that the as-made crystalline heteropoly compounds are catalyst precursors rather than the true catalysts. The reaction over CS2.4H1.6[PMo11VO40] is zero order in propanoic acid with an activation energy of 85 kJ/mol. The formation of propanal is suggested to occur via a Mars-Van Krevelen mechanism. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.