The electrical transport properties of single phase compositions in the system (Fe₂O₃)_x (V₂O₅)_1−x, where 0<x<0·25, have been investigated and discussed. The compounds have been found to exhibit thermally activated hopping conduction, where the charge carriers are electrons localised at V⁴⁺ (3d¹) centres. The Fe³⁺ ions appear to occupy interstitial as well as substitutional positions in the V₂O₅ lattice.

Decomposition of 2-propanol has been studied on vanadium pentoxide with MoO₃ and WO₃ additives. It has been observed that a small amount of the additives increases the dehydration activity of the catalysts, but at 5% or higher concentration, dehydration of 2-propanol decreases. The initial increase followed by a decrease in the dehydration activity with increased amount of additives is due to the change in the rate-determining step. Addition of MoO₃, WO₃, and alkali metal oxides to vanadium pentoxide has similar effects on the V⁴⁺ concentration and catalytic activity. Based on the results of the kinetic and ESR spectral studies, a scheme for the reaction has been proposed. It is concluded that the concentration of V⁴⁺ ion plays the crucial role in these catalysts.