Disclosed is a process for the ammoxidation of paraffins having 3-5 C atoms using a complex metal oxide catalyst having the ingredients and the proportions which are represented by the following empirical formula:VSb.sub.m P.sub.n A.sub.a B.sub.b C.sub.c T.sub.t O.sub.xwhereA is one or more of W, Wn, Mo, B and Ge;B is one or more of Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Te, Pb and As;C is one or more of an alkali metal and TlT is one or more of Ca, Sr and Baand where m is greater than 1 and up to 10; n is greater than zero and up to 10, a is 0-10; b is 0-3; c is 0-1; t is 0-1; a is equal to or less than m; b is equal to or less than m; n is equal to or less than m; and wherein the antimony has an average valency higher than +3 and the vanadium has an average valency lower than +5, and the catalyst and how to make the catalyst.