Ammonoxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons pref. xylenes to nitriles - using vanadium 'bronze' catalyst on alpha alumina support

摘要

Ammonoxydation of aromatic hydrocarbons, partic. of p- or m-xylenes to the correp. nitriles, comprises reacting with ammonia and oxygen at 375-500 degrees C using a vanadium "bronze" catalyst on an alpha alumina support. The pref. molar ratios of oxygen/xylene and ammonia/xylene are 2-3:1 esp. 2.5-3:1. The pref. feed rates by vol. are 3-10% xylene esp. 5%, 7-20% ammonia esp. 15%, 10-20% oxygen esp. 15% and the catalyst concn. by wt. is 1-10%. The pref. temp. is 400-435 degrees C using p-xylene and 375-400 degrees C using m-xylene. The pref. catalyst is a vanadium/sodium bronze mostly in the BZ11 form or alpha phase and the dia. of the catalyst pores is 0.2 to 1 mu. Yields of 85-90% are obtd. with hydrocarbon combustion 10-15 mols% and a min oxygen and ammonia usage to give a relatively high concn.