Abstract: A method for separating an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon, the method having a step of adding a first diluent and an extractant having a superacid to a mixture comprising the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and one or more isomers thereof to carry out an acid-base extraction to thereby form a complex of the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon with the superacid, and thereafter separating the complex from the mixture, and a step of adding an eliminating agent having a relative basicity in a range of 0.06 to 10 with respect to the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a second diluent to the complex, and carrying out complex exchange of the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon for the eliminating agent to thereby separate the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon from the complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing acrylonitrile which includes a vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation process of performing vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation by bringing a source gas containing propylene, molecular oxygen, and ammonia into contact with a fluidized bed catalyst to obtain acrylonitrile. The method is characterized in that the fluidized bed catalyst is a catalyst containing iron, antimony, and tellurium, and the vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation process is performed while maintaining an adsorbed amount of ammonia per specific surface area (m2/g) of the fluidized bed catalyst in the range of 0.01 to 0.22 ?mol/m2. According to the method for producing acrylonitrile of the invention, it is possible to stably maintain a high acrylonitrile yield over a long period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing acrylonitrile which includes a vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation process of performing vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation by bringing a source gas containing propylene, molecular oxygen, and ammonia into contact with a fluidized bed catalyst to obtain acrylonitrile. The method is characterized in that the fluidized bed catalyst consists of particles containing Fe, Sb, and Te, and the vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation process is performed while maintaining a B/A in the range of 2.0 to 5.0, where A denotes an atomic ratio of Te/Sb in a bulk composition of the fluidized bed catalyst and B denotes an atomic ratio of Te/Sb in a surface composition of the particles of the fluidized bed catalyst. According to the method for producing acrylonitrile of the invention, it is possible to stably maintain a high acrylonitrile yield over a long period of time.

Abstract: A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprising a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, wherein the ratio of cerium to iron in the composition is greater than or equal to 0.8 and less than or equal to 5.

Abstract: A process and novel catalyst for the production of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide characterized by the relative yields of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide produced in the process and by the catalyst, which are defined by the following: ?=[(% AN+(3×% HCN)+(1.5×% ACN))÷% PC]×100 wherein % AN is the Acrylonitrile Yield and % AN?81, % HCN is the Hydrogen Cyanide Yield, % ACN is the Acetonitrile Yield, % PC is the Propylene Conversion, and ? is greater than 100.

Abstract: Catalytic compositions are provided that are effective for providing increased acrylonitrile product without a significant decrease in hydrogen cyanide and/or acetonitrile production and provide an overall increase in production of acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile. The catalytic compositions include a complex of metal oxides and include at least about 15% m-phase plus t-phase by weight and have a weight ratio of m-phase to m-phase plus t-phase of 0.45 or greater.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoter elements, wherein the elements in said catalyst are combined together in an aqueous catalyst precursor slurry, the aqueous precursor slurry so obtained is dried to form a catalyst precursor, and the catalyst precursor is calcined to form said catalyst, the process comprising: (i) combining, in an aqueous solution, source compounds of Bi and Ce, and optionally one or more of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, a rare earth element, Pb, W and Y, to form a mixture, (ii) adding a source compound of molybdenum to the mixture to react with the mixture and form a precipitate slurry, and (iii) combining the precipitate slurry with source compounds of the remaining elements and of the remaining molybdenum in the catalyst to form the aqueous catalyst precursor slurry.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoter elements, wherein the elements in said catalyst are combined together in an aqueous catalyst precursor slurry, the aqueous precursor slurry so obtained is dried to form a catalyst precursor, and the catalyst precursor is calcined to form said catalyst, the process comprising: (i) combining, in an aqueous solution, source compounds of Bi and Ce, and optionally one or more of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, a rare earth element, Pb, W and Y, to form a mixture, (ii) adding a source compound of molybdenum to the mixture to react with the mixture and form a precipitate slurry, and (iii) combining the precipitate slurry with source compounds of the remaining elements and of the remaining molybdenum in the catalyst to form the aqueous catalyst precursor slurry.

Abstract: A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprising a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, wherein the ratio of cerium to iron in the composition is greater than or equal to 0.8 and less than or equal to 5.

Abstract: A catalyst for synthesizing acrylonitrile that enables acrylonitrile to be synthesized at high yield, and a process for producing acrylonitrile using that catalyst, are provided. A catalyst for synthesizing acrylonitrile is used having a composition represented by FeaSbbCcDdTeeFfXxYyZzOg(SiO2)h. In the formula, component C represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni and Co, component D from the group consisting of Mo, W and V, component F from the group consisting of P and B, component X from the group consisting of Sn, Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta, Cr, Ru, Pd, Ag, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, As, Bi, La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, component Y from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, Zn and Pb, and component Z from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs, and SiO2 represents silica, when a=10, b=5 to 60, c=0.1 to 8.0, d=0.1 to 4.0, e=0.1 to 5.0, f=1.3 to 5.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing 3-pentenenitrile by hydrocyanating 1,3-butadiene with hydrogen cyanide over at least one catalyst, wherein the 1,3-butadiene and/or hydrogen cyanide is contacted with at least one microporous solid before the reaction.

Abstract: A supported catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide is useful for the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene to an unsaturated carboxylic acid and for the vapor phase ammoxidation of an alkane or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene to an unsaturated nitrile.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a complex of catalytic oxides of iron, bismuth, molybdenum, cobalt, cerium, antimony, at least one of nickel or magnesium, and at least one of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, or thallium, and characterized by the following empirical formula: AaBbCcFedBieCofCegSbhMomOx wherein A is at least one of Cr, P, Sn, Te, B, Ge, Zn, In, Mn, Ca, W, or mixtures thereof B is at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl, or mixtures thereof C is least one of Ni, Mg or mixtures thereof a is 0 to 4.0 b is 0.01 to 1.5 c is 1.0 to 10.0 d is 0.1 to 5.0 e is 0.1 to 2.0 f is 0.1 to 10.0 g is 0.1 to 2.0 h is 0.1 to 2.0 m is 12.0 to 18.0 and x is a number determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present. The catalyst is useful in processes for the ammoxidation of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile and mixtures thereof, respectively.

Abstract: Hydrothermally synthesized catalysts comprising a mixed metal oxide are utilized to produce unsaturated carboxylic acids by the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, in the presence thereof; or to produce unsaturated nitrites by the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, and ammonia in the presence thereof.

Abstract: A mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is improved as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids, or unsaturated nitrites, from alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by contact with a liquid contacting member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A process increasing the yield of both HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a crude ketone and/or a mixture of at least two ketones, ammonia and air, into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the. hydrocarbon, the ketone, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a complex of catalytic oxides of iron, bismuth, molybdenum, cobalt, cerium, antimony, at least one of nickel or magnesium, and at least one of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, or thallium, and characterized by the following empirical formula:

Abstract: A mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is improved as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids, or unsaturated nitrites, from alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by: contacting with a liquid contacting member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide to form a contact mixture; recovering insoluble material from the contact mixture; and calcining the recovered insoluble material in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is improved as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids, or unsaturated nitrites, from alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by: contacting with a liquid contact member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide to form a contact mixture; recovering insoluble material from the contact mixture; calcining the recovered insoluble material in a non-oxidizing atmosphere; admixing the calcined recovered insoluble material with (i) at least one promoter element or compound thereof and (ii) at least one solvent for the at least one promoter element or compound thereof; removing the at least one solvent to form a catalyst precursor; and calcining the catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A catalyst composition represented by the following empirical formula which is useful in production of unsaturated nitrites by ammoxidation: Mo10BiaFebSbcNidCreFfGgHhKkXxYyOi(SiO2)j wherein F represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, lanthanum and cerium, G represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, cobalt, manganese and zinc, H represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, tantalum and tungsten, x represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, boron, and tellurium, Y represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, rubidium and cesium, the suffixes a-k, x and y represent a ratio of atoms or atomic groups, and a=0.1-3, b=0.3-15, c=0-20, d=3-8, e=0.2-2, f=0.05-1, e/f>1, g=0-5, h=0-3, k=0.

Abstract: A process increasing the yield of both HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a crude ketone and/or a mixture of at least two ketones, ammonia and air, into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, the ketone, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor.

Abstract: A process increasing the yield of both HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a crude ketone and/or a mixture of at least two ketones, ammonia and air, into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, the ketone, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline metal oxide compositions have been synthesized. These compositions are described by the empirical formula: AnNbMxM′yM″mOp where A is an alkali metal cation, ammonium ion and mixtures thereof, M is tungsten, molybdenum, or mixtures thereof. M′ is vanadium, tantalum and mixtures thereof, and M″ is antimony, tellurium and mixtures thereof. M′ and M″ are optional metals. These compositions are characterized by having an x-ray diffraction pattern having at least one peak at a d spacing of about 3.9 Å. A hydrothermal synthesis procedure as well as processes using the composition, e.g., ammoxidation of propane, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the gas phase oxidation of an organic compound, using a metallic oxide fluidized-bed catalyst that contains molybdenum in an amount of 10% by weight or more, bismuth, and at least an element selected from the group consisting of iron and cerium, when tellurium is incorporated into this catalyst in such an amount that the atomic ratio of the tellurium to the molybdenum is (0.05-1.5):10, the catalytic activity can be retained for a prolonged period of time, and, at the same time, the loss of molybdenum and tellurium can be prevented during the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the following empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more Ti, Sn, where Sn is always presentD is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Fe, Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Al and Mn whereinm is 0.5 to 10a is greater than zero to 10d is zero to 10x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,comprising making an aqueous slurry of a mixture of source batch materials comprising compounds of said elements to be included in the final catalyst, followed by drying and heat calcining the mixture to an active catalyst, wherein the source batch material for the tin is a solution which comprises SnO.sub.2 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O wherein x.gtoreq.0 dispersed in tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide wherein the tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide is defined by the following formula:C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 NOHwherein 5.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.

Abstract: An ammoxidation catalyst comprising a compound oxide of Mo, V, Nb, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te and Sb, wherein the compound catalyst exhibits an X-ray diffraction pattern satisfying the following relationship:0.40.ltoreq.R.ltoreq.0.75wherein R represents the intensity ratio defined by the following formula:R=P.sub.1 /(P.sub.1 +P.sub.2)wherein P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 represent the intensities of peak 1 and peak 2 appearing at diffraction angles (2.theta.) of 27.3.+-.0.3.degree. and 28.2.+-.0.3.degree., respectively.By the use of the ammoxidation catalyst of the present invention, not only can acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile be produced in high yield, but also oxidative decomposition of ammonia feedstock into nitrogen can be effectively suppressed, thereby enabling an improved utilization of ammonia as a feedstock.

Abstract: An ammoxidation method in a fluidized-bed reactor, in which, when a starting material to be ammoxidized is ammoxidized by means of vapor-phase catalytic fluidized-bed reaction, the reaction is carried out in a fluidized-bed reactor to which an oxygen-containing gas is fed through feed openings provided at the bottom thereof, and a starting material to be ammoxidized is fed through feed openings provided above the feed openings for the oxygen-containing gas, the distance between the feed openings for the oxygen-containing gas and those for the starting material being from 30 to 250% of the height of a fluidized solid matter in a static state so as to form such a fluidized bed that the density of the fluidized solid matter at the feed openings for the starting material to be ammoxidized is in the range of 50 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 and that the gas velocity is 1 m/s or lower.

Abstract: A process for producing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile from propane or isobutane by ammoxidation, which comprises reacting propane or isobutane with ammonia and molecular oxygen in the gaseous phase in a fluidized-bed reactor containing a catalyst comprising a compound oxide and a silica carrier having supported thereon the compound oxide, wherein the compound oxide contains molybdenum (Mo), tellurium (Te), vanadium (V) and niobium (Nb), and wherein the reaction is performed with an addition of a catalyst activator comprising at least one tellurium compound and optionally at least one molybdenum compound into the reactor.

Abstract: Polymetal oxide materials of the general formula I?A!.sub.p ?B!.sub.q (I),where ##STR1## X.sup.1 is W, Nb, Ta, Cr and/or Ce, X.sup.2 is Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn and/or Zn,X.sup.3 is Sb and/or Bi,X.sup.4 is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and/or H,X.sup.5 is Mg, Ca, Sr and/or Ba,X.sup.6 is Si, Al, Ti and/or Zr,X.sup.7 is Mo, W, V, Nb and/or Ta,a is from 1 to 8,b is from 0.2 to 5,c is from 0 to 23,d is from 0 to 50,e is from 0 to 2,f is from 0 to 5,g is from 0 to 50,h is from 4 to 30,i is from 0 to 20,x and y are each a number which is determined by the valency and frequency of the elements other than oxygen in I and p and q are non-zero numbers whose ratio p/q is from 160:1 to 1:1,and their use as catalysts.

Abstract: The process for the ammoxidation of a C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 paraffinic hydrocarbon to its corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated hydrocarbon comprising reacting the C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 paraffinic hydrocarbon with ammonia and oxygen in a fluid bed reactor at a temperature of between 250.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst having the empirical formula as follows:V.sub.v Sb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwherein A when present is Sn and/or Ti;D when present is one or more of Li, Mg, Na, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Fe, Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Al, P and Mn; andwherein v is 1, m is 0.5-75, a is 0 to 25, d is 0 to 25, and x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,and a minor quantity of an halogen-containing component, preferably characterized by the following formula:R--X or X.sub.2where R=Hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyland X=F, Cl, Br, I or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for the reduction in the amount of waste material generated during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing an additional amount of oxygen containing gas, preferably air, in the substantial absence of any oxygenate compounds, into the upper portion of the fluid bed reactor to react with at least some of the unreacted ammonia to reduce the amount of unreacted ammonia present in the reactor effluent.

Abstract: An improved process for substantially eliminating, preferably completely eliminating of nitride formation on feed conduits for fluid bed catalyst reactors used in the manufacture of unsaturated nitriles from corresponding olefins, NH.sub.3 and oxygen comprising maintaining the temperature of the ammonia inside the conduit below its dissociation temperature and/or maintaining the temperature of the inside surface of the conduit below the temperature at which any monoatomic nitrogen can react with the conduit to form a nitride.

Abstract: Olefins such as propylene and isobutylene are converted to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, acrylonitrile, and methacrylonitrile, respectively, by reacting a mixture of the olefin, ammonia, and molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst containing the oxides of bismuth, molybdenum, iron, nickel and magnesium, at least one element selected from the group comprising potassium and cesium, and optionally one element selected from the group comprising cobalt, phosphorus, manganese, tellurium, sodium, cerium, chromium, antimony and tungsten wherein the sum of cesium and potassium is at least 0.1 to 0.

Abstract: A process for conducting long-term ammoxidation of propylene in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst for ammoxidation of propylene at a temperature of from 300.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. to produce acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide, wherein in the process each of (A) elemental phosphorus or a phosphorus compound and (B) elemental tellurium or a tellurium compound is added as a regenerating agent at least once to the ammoxidation reaction system in accordance with the progress of the reaction, the regenerating agent (A) being added when the yields of both of acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide are reduced, and the regenerating agent (B) is chosen when the yield of acrylonitrile is reduced and the yield of hydrogen cyanide is unchanged or increased, to thereby maintain high levels of yields of acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: An iron-antimony-molybdenum-containing oxide catalyst composition for oxidation reactions, comprising a crystalline iron antimonate having a crystallite size of 100 .ANG. or more, said catalyst being represented by the following empirical formula:Fe.sub.a Sb.sub.b Mo.sub.c L.sub.d K.sub.e M.sub.m N.sub.n Q.sub.q R.sub.r T.sub.t O.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated monoitrile 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,V.sub.v A.sub.a D.sub.d Sn.sub.m Sb.sub.n Cu.sub.c O.sub.x (formula 1)in the relative atomic proportions indicated by the subscripts, whereA is selected from Te and BiD is one or more optional elements selected from Mo, W, Ti, Ge, Ce, La, Cr, Mn, Mg, Ca, Co, Ni, Fe, Nb, Ta, Ag, Zn, Cd, B, P, Na, K and Cs, anda is 0.001 to 30d is zero to 30c is 0.001 to 30m is 0.1 to 60n is 0.1 to 60n/v is>12 and<100m+n is.gtoreq.v+a+c+d, andx is determined by the valence requirements of the 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 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin:O.sub.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile is prepared by a process which comprises the ammoxidation of propylene with ammonia and molecular oxygen or a gas containing molecular oxygen at from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C. in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst which contains tellurium and one or more of the metals iron, molybdenum and antimony, in a fluidized bed, with regeneration of the catalyst during the reaction by the addition of oxidic tellurium compounds or tellurium compounds which form oxidic tellurium compounds under the reaction conditions, in dissolved or suspended form.

Abstract: Certain novel multiply promoted Mn-Sb oxides are superior catalysts for the ammoxidation of olefins to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, the selective oxidation of olefins to unsaturated aldehydes and acids, and the oxydehydrogenation of olefins to diolefins.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of C.sub.3 to C.sub.4 paraffins with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalysts containing V, Sb, W and certain optional elements.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of acrylonitrile by the reaction of propylene, ammonia and oxygen in a fluidized catalyst bed in which the propylene and ammonia are premixed and fed in downwardly streams that are directly aligned with upwardly directed streams of an oxygen containing gas under conditions such that there is complete mixing of the gas streams prior to the gases having significant contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: The activity of a tellurium-free metal oxide catalyst used for ammoxidation of organic compounds at a temperature of from 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. is improved in the presence of (a) elemental tellurium or a tellurium compound which is in contact with said catalyst or in the presence of (a) elemental tellurium or a tellurium compound and (b) a molybdenum compound which are in contact with said catalyst. This activity improvement process can be applied to both the fresh catalysts and the spent catalyst having a deteriorated activity. The above described component (a) is preferably composed of a tellurium containing solid to be used in a state of a dry physical mixture with said catalyst. The above described components (a) and (b) are preferably composed of a tellurium containing solid and a molybdenum containing solid respectively or a tellurium-molybdenum containing solid to be used in a state of a dry physical mixture with said catalyst.

Abstract: 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. Catalytic compositions useful in the process are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain catalysts containing iron and molybdenum plus bismuth or tellurium and nickel, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, calcium or beryllium have been found to give especially large volumes of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile in a given time when boron, gallium or indium are incorporated into the catalyst.

Abstract: Iron-antimony metallic oxide catalysts which have become deactivated after being used for the production of aldehydes, acids, nitriles, or dienes through oxidation, ammoxidation, or oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds in fluidized-bed reactors are regenerated by adding to the catalyst a molybdenum-enriched catalyst formed by supporting a molybdenum component which is volatile or capable of forming a volatile compound under reaction conditions on a metallic oxide catalyst. The metallic oxide catalysts contain as essential components (I) Fe, (II) Sb, (III) at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Mo and W, and (IV) Te.

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 improving the activity of tellurium containing metal oxide catalysts useful as catalysts for oxidation, ammoxidation or oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds by heating the catalysts together with an activity-improving agent to a temperature up to about 900.degree. C. in a gaseous atmosphere. The process can be effectively applied to deteriorated or spent catalysts, the activity of which has been deteriorated due to use for a long period of time.

Abstract: A process for improving the activity of tellurium containing metal oxide catalysts useful as catalysts for oxidation, ammoxidation or oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds by heating the catalysts together with a tellurium containing solid and an optional molybdenum containing solid to a temperature up to about 900.degree. C. in a gaseous atmosphere. The process can be effectively applied to deteriorated or spent catalysts, the activity of which has been deteriorated due to use for a long period of time. The tellurium containing solid used as an activity improving agent is elemental tellurium and the molybdenum containing solid is selected from the group consisting of (i) a molybdenum compound, (ii) at least one molybdenum compound supported on an inert carrier, and (iii) a molybdenum enriched catalyst prepared by adding a Mo component to a metal oxide catalyst (which may be a fresh catalyst or a deteriorated catalyst).

Abstract: A regeneration process for tellurium-containing metal oxide catalysts used in the process for oxidation, ammoxidation or oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds at a temperature of about 300.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. The process can be effectively applied to such catalysts which have become partially deactivated during the reaction.