Abstract: An improved fluorinated siliceous catalyst, well adapted for the catalytic synthesis of aromatic/aliphatic nitriles from their corresponding formamides, formanilides or amides, is comprised of a plurality of silica particulates, the specific surface of which ranging from about 200 to about 300 m.sup.2 /g, having a total pore volume ranging from about 1 to about 1.5 cm.sup.3 /g, with an average pore diameter ranging from about 100 to about 200 .ANG., having an exchange pH of less than about 3, and with the fluorine content thereof bonded to the silica, expressed in F.sup.31 , ranging from about 0.05 to about 2% by weight based upon the silica, and the sodium content thereof, expressed as Na.sub.2 O, being less than about 1% by weight, also based upon the silica.

Abstract: An improved fluorinated siliceous catalyst, well adapted for the catalytic synthesis of aromatic/aliphatic nitriles from their corresponding formamides, formanilides or amides, is comprised of a plurality of silica particulates, the specific surface of which ranging from about 200 to about 300 m.sup.2 /g, having a total pore volume ranging from about 1 to about 1.5 cm.sup.3 /g, with an average pore diameter ranging from about 100 to about 200 .ANG., having an exchange pH of less than about 3, and with the fluorine content thereof bonded to the silica, expressed in F.sup.-, ranging from about 0.05 to about 2% by weight based upon the silica, and the sodium content thereof, expressed as Na.sub.2 O, being less than about 1% by weight, also based upon the silica.

Abstract: The N-benzylimides having the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar comprises a benzene radical and R.sub.1 is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, are prepared in good yield by reacting a compound having the structural formula:ArH (II)with a compound having the structural formula: ##STR2## in the presence of hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: Aromatic/aliphatic nitriles having the formula:Ar--A--CN (I)wherein Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl and A is a direct chemical bond or a hydrocarbon having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, are conveniently prepared by heating to a temperature ranging from about 450.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C. a formamide or formanilide having the formula:Ar--A--NHCHO (II)or an amide having the formula:Ar--A--CONH.sub.2 (III)in the presence of a fluorinated siliceous catalyst, said catalyst having been prepared by (i) impregnating a particulate silica prepared by the precipitation of sodium silicate with sulfuric acid, with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid, said hydrofluoric acid solution having a concentration in HF of less than about 5% by weight, and the ratio by weight of the hydrofluoric acid contained in said aqueous solution thereof to the silica being less than about 5%, followed by (ii) drying the catalyst thus impregnated.

Abstract: Aromatic/aliphatic nitriles having the formula:Ar--A--CN (I)wherein Ar is phenyl or substituted phenyl and A is a direct chemical bond or a hydrocarbon having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, are conveniently prepared by heating to a temperature ranging from about 450.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C. a formamide or formanilide having the formula:Ar--A--NHCHO (II)or an amide having the formulaAr--A--CONH.sub.2 (III)in the presence of a fluorinated siliceous catalyst, said catalyst having been prepared by (i) impregnating a particulate silica containing from about 0.05 to about 2% by weight of fluorine, expressed as F.sup.- bonded to the silica, with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid, said hydrofluoric acid solution having a concentration in HF of less than about 5% by weight, and the ratio by weight of the hydrofluoric acid contained in said aqueous solution thereof to the silica being less than about 5%, followed by (ii) drying the catalyst thus impregnated.