Process for producing nitriles

摘要

A process for producing a nitrile, which comprises subjecting an alkane and ammonia in the gaseous state to catalytic oxidation in the presence of a catalyst which satisfies the following conditions of (1) and (2): (1) the catalyst is represented by the empirical formula: MoaVbTecXxOn (1) wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, W, Ti, Al, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ni, Pd, Pt, Sb, Bi, B and Ce, -when a = 1,-b = 0.01 to 1.0,-c = 0.01 to 1.0,-x = 0.01 to 1.0,- and n is a number such that the total valency of the metal elements is satisfied; and (2) the catalyst has X-ray diffraction peaks at the following angles of 2(theta) in its X-ray diffraction pattern: -1 Diffraction angles of 2(theta) ( degrees)-22.1 +- 0.3-28.2 +- 0.3-36.2 +- 0.3-45.2 +- 0.3-50.0 +- 0.3.-