Preparation of dicyanobenzenes by ammoxidation

摘要

A process for the preparation of dicyanobenzenes of the formula in which x denotes hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, nitro, amino, mono- or di-(C1-C4 alkyl)amino, phthalimido or a nitrogenous saturated 5-membered or 6-membered heterocyclic radical, which is attached to the phenyl ring via a nitrogen atom in which a xylene of the formula in which x has the meaning stated above, is oxidized at a temperature of from 400 DEG to 500 DEG C. with oxygen in the presence of ammonia and a catalyst.