Abstract: A method for producing a silica-supported catalyst comprising Mo, V. Nb, and a component X (Sb and/or Te) to be used in a vapor phase catalytic oxidation or ammoxidation of proprane, comprising the steps of: (I) preparing a raw material mixture solution by mixing Mo, V, Nb, component X, a silica sol, and water; (II) obtaining a dry powder by drying the raw material mixture solution; and (III) obtaining a silica-supported catalyst by calcining the dry powder, wherein the silica sol contains 10 to 270 wt ppm of nitrate ions based on SiO2.

Abstract: Described herein are catalysts for activation of an R—H bond in a R—H substrate and related catalytic matrices, compositions, methods and systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of cis-2-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)-4-methyltetrahydropyran comprising the catalytic hydrogenation of 2-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)-4-methylenetetrahydropyran in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous catalyst comprising ruthenium on a support and subsequently bringing the compounds obtained in this way into contact with a strongly acidic cation exchanger.

Abstract: A process for preparing at least one target product by partial oxidation and/or ammoxidation of propylene, in which the propylene source used is a propane dehydrogenation, the propane used therein being obtained by a rectificative prepurification of crude propane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for use in catalytic oxidation or ammoxidation of propane or isobutane in the gaseous phase, which comprises an oxide containing, in specific atomic ratios, molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb) and antimony (Sb), wherein the oxide catalyst has a reduction ratio of from 8 to 12% and a specific surface area of from 5 to 30 m2/g. Also disclosed is a process for efficiently producing this catalyst.

Abstract: Multimetal oxide materials which contain Mo and V and, if required, one or more of the elements from the group consisting of lanthanides, transition elements of the Periodic Table of the Elements and elements of the third to sixth main group of the Periodic Table of the Elements and which are prepared in the presence of an alkali metal other than Li and have the i-phase structure are used as active material in catalysts for partial gas-phase oxidations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxide catalyst for use in catalytic oxidation or ammoxidation of propane or isobutane in the gaseous phase, which comprises a composition represented by the Mo1VaSbbNbcZdOn (wherein: Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of tungsten, chromium, titanium, aluminum, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel, palladium, platinum, zinc, boron, indium, germanium, tin, lead, bismuth, yttrium, gallium, rare earth elements and alkaline earth metals; and a, b, c, d, and n are, respectively, the atomic ratios of V, Sb, Nb, Z and O, relative to Mo), wherein 0.1?a<0.4, 0.1<b?0.4, 0.01?c?0.3, 0?d?1, with the proviso that a<b, and n is a number determined by and consistent with the valence requirements of the other elements present. Also disclosed is a process for producing an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an unsaturated nitrile by using the above-mentioned oxide catalyst.

Abstract: An improved single-step catalytic vapor phase (amm)oxidation process for the conversion of one or more C2-C8 alkanes to one or more oxidation products, including unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated nitriles, whereby a higher yield of the oxidation products is achieved.

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 nitriles, 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 having the formula: Mo1VaSbbNbcMdOx wherein M is gallium, bismuth, silver or gold, a is 0.01 to 1, b is 0.01 to 1, c is 0.01 to 1, d is 0.01 to 1 and x is determined by the valence requirements of the other components. Other metals, such as tantalum, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, chromium, manganese, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel, platinum, boron, arsenic, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, calcium, beryllium, magnesium, cerium, strontium, hafnium, phosphorus, europium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, terbium, ytterbium, lutetium, lanthanum, scandium, palladium, praseodymium, neodymium, yttrium, thorium, tungsten, cesium, zinc, tin, germanium, silicon, lead, barium or thallium may also be components of the catalyst. This catalyst is prepared by co-precipitation of metal compounds which are calcined to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst that can be used for the selective conversion of an alkane to an unsaturated carboxylic acid in a one-step process.

Abstract: An orthorhombic phase mixed metal oxide is produced selectively in quantitative yield and used to produce.

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 nitriles, 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 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 process for increasing the yield of acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a carboxylic acid, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, carboxylic acid, 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 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. The catalyst is treated with a source of hydrogen, an alcohol, a source of NOx or a mixture thereof.

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: The present invention relates to a sold catalyst for manufacturing of a nitrile compound and a method of preparation thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to the solid catalyst expressed by the following formula (1): BiaAaBbQqOx][(100-z) % DdEeFefNigMomOy+z % SiO2] comprising a core catalytic phase expressed by [(100-z) %=DdEeFefNigMomOy+z % SiO2] and a shell catalytic phase expressed by [BinAaBbQqOx], which increases a yield in the manufacturing of a nitrile compound via ammoxidation of olefin, and the method of preparation thereof.

Abstract: A supported catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide is useful for the vapor phase catalytic partial 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: Catalytically active multielement oxide materials which contain at least one of the elements Nb and W and the elements Mo, V and Cu are prepared by a process in which an intimate dry blend containing ammonium ions is prepared and said dry blend is subjected to a thermal treatment in an atmosphere having a low molecular oxygen content at elevated temperatures, a portion of the ammonium ions contained in the intimate dry blend being decomposed with liberation of ammonia and the oxygen content of the thermal treatment atmosphere being increased in the course of the thermal treatment.

Abstract: A catalyst for the selective oxidation and amoxidation of alkanes and/or alkenes, particularly in processes for obtaining acrylic acid, acrylonitrile and derivatives of these, including a least one oxide of Mo, Te, V, Cu and at least another A component selected from among Nb, Ta, Sn, Se, W, Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Ga, Sb, Bi, a rare, alkaline or alkali-earth earth, in such a way that the catalyst presents, in a calcined form, an X-ray diffractogram with five intensive diffraction lines, typically the most intense corresponding to diffraction angles of 2&thgr; at 22.1±0.4, 27.1±0.4; 28.1±0.4, 36.0±0.4 and 45.1±0.4.

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: 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 contact with a liquid contacting member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A 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 process for producing a molybdenum-bismuth-iron-containing metal oxide fluidized bed catalyst which has a controlled particle diameter and has satisfactory activity and physical properties. In a process for producing a fluidized bed catalyst containing molybdenum-bismuth-iron and silica as a carrier component, dried products formed in a spray drying step and having a particle diameter outside a desired range are pulverized, then the pulverized one is mixed into a slurry before spray drying, the resulting mixture is spray-dried, and the spray-dried particles are subjected to a classification operation to obtain particles having a diameter within the desired range, which are then calcined. The catalyst produced according to the present invention is suitable for producing acrylonitrile by ammoxidation of propylene.

Abstract: A 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 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 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 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 fluidized-bed catalyst for producing acrylonitrile by the ammoxidation of propylene, which comprises a silica carrier and a composite having the following formula: AaCcDdNafFegBihMiMo12Ox wherein A selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium, samarium, thallium and mixtures thereof; C is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, arsenic, boron, antimony, chromium and mixtures thereof; D is selected from nickel, cobalt or mixtures thereof; M is selected from tungsten, vanadium or mixtures thereof. The catalyst of the present invention particularly suits the use under higher pressure and higher duties, and still maintains very high single-pass yield of acrylonitrile and a high ammonia conversion. This catalyst particularly suits the requirement for existing acrylonitrile plants to raise capacity. For new plants it can also reduce the investment on the catalyst and the pollution.

Abstract: An improved catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide is prepared by the use of a sol-gel technique. The catalyst is useful for the conversion of an alkane, or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene, to an unsaturated carboxylic acid by vapor phase oxidation, or to an unsaturated nitrile by vapor phase oxidation in the presence of ammonia.

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: Disclosed is an oxide catalyst for use in catalytic oxidation or ammoxidation of propane or isobutane in the gaseous phase, which comprises a composition represented by the Mo1VaSbbNbcZdOn (wherein: Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of tungsten, chromium, titanium, aluminum, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel, palladium, platinum, zinc, boron, indium, germanium, tin, lead, bismuth, yttrium, gallium, rare earth elements and alkaline earth metals: and a, b, c, d, and n are, respectively, the atomic ratios of V, Sb, Nb, Z and O, relative to Mo), wherein 0.1≦a<0.4, 0.1<b≦0.4, 0.01≦c≦0.3, 0≦d≦1, with the proviso that a<b, and n is a number determined by and consistent with the valence requirements of the other elements present. Also disclosed is a process for producing an unsaturated carboxylic acid or an unsaturated nitrile by using the above-mentioned oxide catalyst.

Abstract: A carbocyclic or heterocyclic compound, ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas are subjected to fluid catalytic reaction in vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst containing alkali metal to produce an aromatic or heterocyclic nitrile. The use of the catalyst containing a specific amount of alkali metal enables the stable production of the aromatic or heterocyclic nitrile in high yields with little change with time even when water is present in the reaction system. The use of the catalyst containing the alkali metal also enables the recycle and reuse of unreacted ammonia which is usually accompanied by water, thereby reducing production costs.

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 method for a gas phase catalytic oxidation reaction of a hydrocarbon, which comprises: subjecting an alkane having a carbon number ranging from 3 to 8 and/or an alkene having a carbon number ranging from 2 to 8 to a gas phase catalytic oxidation reaction to produce a vapor phase oxidation product in the presence of a mixed metal oxide catalyst, wherein the reacion is conducted in the presence of particles substantially inert to the reaction in an amount within a range of the same amount as the amount of catalyst to 99 wt. % in all particles.

Abstract: A process for increasing the yield of one or both co-products HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a mixture comprising one or more alcohols selected from crude methanol, crude ethanol or crude propanol, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, alcohol, 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: The present invention provides a process for preparing carbocyclic or heterocyclic nitrites by the vapor phase contact ammoxidation of carbocyclic compounds or heterocyclic compounds, in which the reaction is carried out effectively without the increase of the amount of ammonia or oxygen used or the introduction of steam to give the nitrites as the objective products stably with the passage of time in a high yield with a high selectivity.

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: 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: 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: An improved catalyst for the production of unsaturated nitrites from their corresponding olefins, the catalyst composition having the atomic ratios described by the empirical formula Bi.sub.a Mo.sub.b V.sub.c Sb.sub.d Nb.sub.e Ag.sub.f A.sub.g B.sub.h O.sub.x and methods of using the same.

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: Mixed oxide vanadium/antimony/titanium ammoxidation catalysts, particularly suited for the ammoxidation of alkanes and exhibiting X-ray diffraction spectra which are characteristic of a crystallographic phase of rutile TiO.sub.2, are prepared by (a) dissolving respective soluble compounds of vanadium, of antimony and of titanium in at least one saturated alcohol, (b) contacting the alcoholic solution thus obtained with water and precipitating the mixed oxide therefrom, and (c) separating and calcining the mixed oxide thus precipitated.

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 catalyst useful in the manufacture of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile by the catalytic reaction in the vapor phase of a paraffin selected from propane and isobutane with molecular oxygen and ammonia by catalytic contact of the reactants in a reaction zone with a catalyst, the feed composition having a mole ratio of the paraffin to ammonia in the range of about 1.0 to 10 and a mole ratio of paraffin to oxygen in the range of about 1.0 to 10, wherein said catalyst has the elements in the proportions indicated by the empirical formula:MO.sub.a V.sub.b Sb.sub.c Ga.sub.d X.sub.e O.sub.xwhereX is one or more of As, Te, Se, Nb, Ta, W, Ti, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, B, In, Ce, Re, Ir, Ge, Sn, Bi, Y, Pr, an alkali metal, and an alkaline earth metal, preferably Nb, Ce, Fe, Ge, Sn, In, As, Se, and B, especially preferred being Nb,a equals 1,b equals 0.0 to 0.99, preferably 0.1 to 0.5,c equals 0.01 to 0.9, preferably 0.05 to 0.5,d equals 0.01 to 0.5, preferably 0.01 to 0.4,e equals 0.0 to 1.

Abstract: An ammoxidation catalyst comprising a compound oxide which contains, in specific atomic ratios, molybdenum; vanadium; niobium; at least one element selected from tellurium and antimony; and at least one element selected from ytterbium, dysprosium, erbium, neodymium, samarium, lanthanum, praseodymium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, holmium, thulium, lutetium and scandium. By the use of the ammoxidation catalyst of the present invention, the ammonia-based yield of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile can be largely increased without sacrificing the propane- or isobutane-based yield of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile. Thus, the feed-stock ammonia can be efficiently utilized in the ammoxidation of propane or isobutane while achieving an efficient utilization of propane or isobutane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of (meth)acrylonitriles following ammoxidation process comprising catalytically oxidizing at least one saturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and isobutane with a mixed gas containing molecular oxygen and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst, is provided, the process being characterized by the use of a catalyst composed of complex oxide which is expressed by the general formula (I) below:Mo.alpha.Sb.beta.W.gamma.Ox (I)(in which .alpha., .beta. and .gamma. denote the number of atoms of Mo, Sb and W, respectively, and when .alpha. is 1, .beta. is 0.5-10 and .gamma. is 0.5-10; and x is a value determined by valence of the existing elements)as supported on a refractory inorganic carrier.According to this process, the object nitrites can be prepared at high yields with industrial advantages.

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.