​The kinetics of n-butane oxidation for the production of maleic anhydride (MA) over a commercial VPO catalyst has been investigated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and at a temperature range of 400–435 C. A kinetic model that can be applied under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions is presented. The model considers three types of oxygen: adsorbed oxygen, surface lattice oxygen and sub-surface lattice oxygen. Both adsorbed and surface lattice oxygen are considered active for the production of maleic anhydride and CO.