Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated nitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Bismuth cerium molybdate catalysts promoted with alkali metal and other optional ingredients provide high yields of acrylonitrile in the ammoxidation of propylene.

Abstract: A process for the photochemical dehydrogenation of alcohols comprises the steps of forming a suspension of semiconductor powder in the alcohol and photochemically activating the suspension in the presence of an oxidant with illumination having an energy at least equal to the band gap of the semiconductor powder. The process is one carried out at about ambient temperature and with gentle agitation. The semiconductor powder has the general formula A.sub.x B.sub.y C.sub.z where A is selected from Bi, Sn, Pt, Pd, Cu, Fe, W, V, Sb, Mo, Ru or Ag and mixtures thereof; B is Te, Sb, Ti, Cd, Mo, W or V and mixtures thereof; C is O or S; x equals 0.1 to 5; y equals 1 to 3; and z is a number necessary to satisfy the other elements, and is optionally metallized by an element selected from Pt, Pd, Cu or Ag.

Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of olefins comprises the steps of forming a suspension of semiconductor powder in a solvent media, adding an olefin to the solvent media in the presence of an oxidant to form a mixture and, photochemically activating the mixture with illumination having an energy at least equal to the band gap of the semiconductor powder wherein the selectivity is controlled by the selection of A, of the solvent and of the oxidant. The process is one carried out at about ambient temperature and with gentle agitation. The semiconductor powder has the general formula A.sub.x B.sub.y C.sub.z where A is selected from Bi, Sn, Pt, Pd, Cu, Fe, W, V, Sb, Mo, Ru or Ag and mixtures thereof; B is Te, Sb, Ti, Cd, Mo, V or W and mixtures thereof; C is O or S; x equals 0 to 5; y equals 1 to 3; and z is a number necessary to satisfy the other elements, and is optionally metallized by an element selected from Pt, Pd, Cu or Ag.

Abstract: The vapor phase oxidation of acetonitrile with molecular oxygen in the presence or absence of water vapor to produce glycolonitrile or glycolamide.

Abstract: Promoted bismuth rare earth molybdenum oxide complexes are excellent catalysts for the ammoxidation of methanol to HCN especially at high methanol throughputs at contact times appropriate for fluid-bed operation.