Abstract: High-yield catalytic production of acrylonitrile at an elevated temperature, from a reaction mixture containing propylene, ammonia and molecular oxygen, utilizing a catalyst comprising an oxide composition having the empirical formula Mo.sub.a Co.sub.b Fe.sub.c X.sub.d O.sub.e wherein X denotes at least one atom of an element selected from among calcium, tungsten, chromium, zirconium, titanium, zinc, manganese, and tin and the atomic ratio a:b:c:d:e is in the range of 12:4 to 10:1 to 6:0 to 1.0:40 to 70, said catalyst being prepared by providing an aqueous mixture containing compounds of the elements, drying the aqueous mixture, and calcining the dried solid product at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C.