A series of Te-Mo-O catalysts were prepared by decomposing (NH4)(6)TeMo6O24 center dot nH(2)O telluromolybdate under different conditions and tested for the selective oxidation of isobutane and isobutene. Characterization results showed that their structure and properties depend on the calcination conditions. Catalytic tests showed that molybdenum may be the key element for the activation of isobutane, whereas the selective oxidation of isobutene to methacrolein might proceed mainly on the surface of a TeMo-containing crystalline phase.