A multimetal oxide of the formula I, Ag.sub.a-cQ.sub.bM.sub.cV.sub.2O.sub.d*e H.sub.2O, I where a is from 0.3 to 1.9, Q is an element selected from among P, As, Sb and/or Bi, is from 0 to 0.3, M is a metal selected from among Nb, Ce, W, Mn, Ta, Pd, Pt, Ru and/or Rh, c is from 0.001 to 0.5, with the proviso that (a-c).gtoreq.0.1, d is a number which is determined by the valence and abundance of the elements other than oxygen in the formula I and e is from 0 to 20, and also precatalysts and catalysts produced therefrom for the partial oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons are described.