Process for producing aromatic and heterocyclic nitriles

摘要

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.