FIELD: petrochemistry, more particularly in the catalyst composition for the production of phthalic anhydride. SUBSTANCE: the catalyst comprises 3-20 g of an active ingredient per 100 cm3 of a carrier. The active ingredient includes component A comprising (wt parts):1-20 vanadium pentoxide and 80-99 titanium dioxide such as anatase with a specific surface area of 10-60 m3/g, component B comprising (wt parts) 0.01-1.0 niobium pentoxide; 0.05-2.0 an oxide of an element selected from the group consisting of potassium, cesium, rubidium and thallium; 0.2-1.2 phosphorus pentoxide and 0.55-5.5 antimony pentoxide. The catalyst also comprises 3-20 g of a catalytically active agent per 100 cm3 of a thermally stable inorganic carrier. The catalytically active agent includes component A of said composition, and component C comprising (wt parts); 0.01-1.0 niobium pentaoxide; 0.05-2.2 an oxide of an element selected from the group consisting of potassium, cesium rubidium and thallium); 0.2-1.2 phosphorus pentaoxide; 0.09-2.0 silver oxide, and 0.55-5.5 antimony pentaoxide. It is more preferable that the pore volume with a diameter of 0.15-0.45 mcm constitute 50% or greater of the total volume of finer pores having a diameter of 10 mcm or less in a bed of a catalytically active ingredient applied to a heat-resistant inorganic carrier. EFFECT: improved properties of the catalyst. 5 dwg, 3 tbl
