Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated mononitrile by the catalytic reaction of a paraffin containing 3-5 carbon atoms with molecular oxygen and ammonia by catalytic contact of the foregoing reactants in a reaction zone with a metal oxide catalyst containing the elements indicated by the empirical formula,Cr.sub.a Mo.sub.b Te.sub.c M.sub.d O.sub.x (formula 1)whereM=one or more of Mg, Ni, Sb, Ti, La, P, Ce, Fe, Nb, W, V, and Cu, each of a, b & c is 0.1 to 10d is zero to 10a+b+c>1.5d, andx is determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present, andwherein the reactants fed to the reaction zone contain a mole ratio of said paraffin:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2.5 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin:O.sub.2 in the range from 1 to 10.