Abstract: There are disclosed a process for producing a nitrile compound which comprises catalytically reacting an alkyl group-substituted aromatic compound or an alkyl group-substituted heterocyclic compound with a mixed gas containing ammonia and oxygen in the presence of 1 a catalyst comprising a vanadium oxide, a chromium oxide, a boron oxide, a molybdenum oxide, and an oxide of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal or 2 a catalyst comprising a vanadium oxide, a chromium oxide, a boron oxide, an alkali metal oxide, and a heteropolyacid. According to the above process and by virtue of the specific catalyst, it is made possible to produce a nitrile compound having an aromatic ring or a heterocyclic ring in an extremely advantageous manner, that is, in high yield at high selectivity to the objective product.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst precursor for methanol synthesis using copper sulfate recovered from low-cost copper etching waste solution as the source of copper, which comprises using recovered copper sulfate containing the mother liquor in the amount of 10% by weight or less, and adding a zinc or aluminum compound, and, optionally, further adding a boron compound to the recovered copper sulfate. The catalyst prepared by such method has all of the characteristics of a catalyst prepared with an expensive starting material, such as conventional metal nitrates. By using such method, the catalyst cost can be reduced to a great extent, thus rendering the method of great commercial value.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol or mixed alcohol which comprises reacting a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide in a fluidized catalyst bed.Catalyst particles having an average particle diameter of not more than 150 microns and a particle density of at least 1.7 g/cm.sup.3 are used as the fluidized catalyst.The catalyst particles are contacted with the synthesis gas at a superficial linear velocity of at least 0.2 m/sec. under a pressure of 40 to 200 atmospheres.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising copper oxide, zinc oxide and zirconium oxide, the content of zirconium oxide being 30 to 70% by weight. This catalyst composition is useful for synthesis of methanol from carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide and hydrogen by a gas-liquid-solid phase fluidized bed method or a gas-solid phase fluidized bed method.

Abstract: A methanol synthesis process comprising reacting a methanol synthesis gas composition in the presence of a methanol synthesis catalyst. The methanol synthesis catalyst is a catalyst produced by drying and sintering a catalyst precursor.